(This is Part 1 of a 4-Part Series)
“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.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Jesus knows how humans tend to operate. With religious devotion, we humans pursue thrills, chase dreams, and seek success. Sometimes it’s at our work, or with new friendships, or frequently with the way we get obsessed with our hobbies. Oftentimes, that fire of passion that was burning so bright becomes a faint flicker of fake fun. So we turn to the next escape. When there’s snow in the mountains, the businessman escapes the office for the chairlift. When the snow melts, the ski bum runs rapids or shreds singletrack. But these activities used for escape can provide only temporary relief.
Jesus makes it clear, if you’re tired of the way your life is being lived, then he has the only real solution. “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”
We experience glimpses of this great gift Jesus offers us. The silence in conversation with an old friend that provides you both a safe place to simply be yourself. The words a loved one whispers when you need to be reminded of your worth. The eye opening, awe inspiring colors of sunrise. All of these glimpses are great because they give us hope, but nothing is better than actually being with Jesus.
Challenge
- Who is someone you have truly connected with and has brought you rest?
- What would it look like if you let Jesus help you recover your life?
- When was the last time you had real rest with Jesus?
By Tim Herset | Kalispell, MT