"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"
The Message: Matthew 11:28-30
You know those days, Reader. The days where everything just seems impossibly hard. Where no matter what you do, or how much effort you put in, at the end of the day you look at the shambles and unaccomplished (though attempted for hours and hours) tasks around you and wonder why it has to be so hard.
I've had more of those days since becoming a mom than I would like to admit. In just 5 short weeks, I've forgotten more, failed at more, left more undone, and felt like I'm not enough so often that I wonder where the girl who could effortlessly accomplish everything and still have time on her hands went.
I think that's why this translation of Matthew resonated with me so strongly this week, and why that phrase - Unforced Rhythms of Grace - embodies everything I want right now.
I want to effortlessly step into a life where I don't have to force things. Where my days move in an easy rhythm. Where grace abounds, and I can forgive my shortcomings without missing a beat, continuing to move in unforced rhythms.
The key to this is wrapped up in the verse: Come to me.
It's when I try to be sufficient in myself that I find I am not. When I go to myself for strength that I fall. I need to be going to Him. He will equip and empower me to accomplish what is before me that day (Matt. 6:11, Hebrews 13:21), and give me the strength, patience, and endurance I need to finish well (Romans 15:5-6) before taking my rest.
Unforced Rhythms of Grace. I need more of this. I need more of Him.
