How does that title strike you? In today's world of chaos and double chaos it seems there is no Free and Light at all. It just seems to be fast and furious all the time. I was doing a Bible Study this morning and the speaker used the Message Version of a verse I’ve read a hundred times but never read the message version.
I have to tell you – it got me revved up today. It spoke to me as plain as if it was whispered or shouted in my ears.
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message 28-30 “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.”
So allow your weary self to read that again…
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message 28-30 “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 am right there with you… Oh here comes the next line - You will recover your life. Ok I am in! Then there is this wonderful line - Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Unforced rhythms of Grace. Not pushed, not rushed, just easing on in there and taking over. Like a lovely sunrise and there you sit with your coffee and Bible just reading away when this wash of warmth covers you and has you feeling warm and cozy all wrapped up In great things to start your day. A great word, a spectacular sunrise that looks like it was ordered up by God just for you and that coffee.
A long time friend of ours bought a cabin in Colorado recently. (stay with me here – I promise I’ll come back to this) When we were kids my Dad worked for Cabot and they owned a large ranch in Stonewall Colorado that we visited for vacations every year. Let me tell you – the cabin part was a long building with I’d say 3 units – each unit had a coal / wood stove, a cold water only farm sink and a frame that you could put bedding on – I don’t remember much other furniture in there. It was indeed roughing it. no screens (totally no AC units), we had to gather wood and coal to cook, if you showered, you had to dress and run back to the cabin especially if it was dark. The bathroom was an entirely separate building with hot showers but watch out for the bears. We put flat cardboard on the frames and cot mats on top and slept in this large room all together, it got chilly in the evenings there but oh how great for someone who likes it cold on my face but otherwise I’m bundled.. We rode horses up to the meadow – which was so beautiful in the summertime, trees and flowers and I remember how it smelled all these years later, we took off our shoes and waded in the creek which after 10 minutes made your feet beet red because it was mountain snow run off, but it was so clear and beautiful, it tasted so good too. We fished for rainbow trout and rode a jeep up in the mountain trails. There were no TV’s no motor sounds there was just us and nature. Now I am not normally a country girl but I loved Cabot Ranch, I loved fishing, I loved the horses. I loved hiking up on Stonewall itself and seeing for miles the mountains and trees. It was the best parts of camping and I mean the smells were just insane, from the trees to the wood burning to the meadow with flowers and pine cones, I mean some really fantastic times we had then. It’s been a long time but I still have very vivid memories of it.
This is really pretty country at Stonewall. So my sister was visiting that friend who’s cabin is about 3 miles from the ranch we stayed at as kids. They were showing me around via video and the back-porch of her cabin looked off in the trees and all you could hear was a mountain spring running. I was thinking – yes oh yes that would be my morning Coffee spot for sure! Even if it was winter I’d bundle up and sit soaking in the good. Praising God for such beauty and tranquility. Praise God for a lovely place I could soak in His word.
So today in times of rush, unrest, weary feelings, just find your hush in God’s word - . “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.”
Find your rest in Him, in His promises. I know I am preaching to myself too. I have moments when feelings and work and everything just seem to pile up. Today I feel renewed.
Praying you renew too.
Dear Heavenly Father – Bring rest to the weary, bring peace to the worried, bring food for the soul to those hungry for more. I thank You for renewal, for peace, for grace and for faith. In Jesus Name I pray - Amen