A while ago I came across this quote :
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
I was astonished to see that this was a translation of Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message. I was more familiar with the version that talked about taking a yoke upon you, which, frankly didn’t seem like much of a rest!
But those words “the unforced rhythms of grace” stuck in my mind.
A little background: I have been diagnosed with ME/CFS and am currently off sick from my job as a teacher, after having been 90% recovered for 10 years. I am the typical Type A personality who tried to push through and keep going with sheer strength of will and failed.
I have been thinking of blogging for some time but my Type A brain said “Wait till you are better, then you can teach people how to recover”. Perfect illustration of Type A teacher thinking!
But, I know, in my gut, my heart, my soul that this phrase “learn the unforced rhythms of grace” holds the key to my recovery.
So this blog is going to be about the journey to find out what that means for me. As a non-churchgoer but someone with a keen interest in spirituality, this may mean something very different from the original text.
This is what I know for sure, however. The fast pace of the world is causing many people to burnout and to question how they are living.
There must be another way.
I hope you will join me as I attempt to find out. I am ready to learn.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
This verse tell us to pick up Jesus’ yoke because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We work our souls to death and He is saying let the Spirit do the work and your burden will be light. That is rest for your soul!