Are you tired and worn out?

“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)

In my opinion, Eugene Peterson's rendering of this passage takes Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him, to a level where the deal being offered is very hard to say no to.

This is no passive rest. It is no slumping into the sofa at the end of a long day. Neither is this some kind of spiritual retreat that we dip in and out of, whenever we need a little break.

Jesus is inviting us to come to Him daily. To 'get away with Him' daily. 

The sentiment of Jesus' statements should encourage us to find a way to navigate through the exhaustions of life in such a way that the loads consistently feel easy to carry. Jesus says to you and me 'come and learn from my lifestyle', 'come and see how I approach life', 'when you choose to align yourself to me, see, my way makes sense'.

The unforced rhythms of grace are those that Jesus lived by. They are His teaching and His lifestyle at the foundation and centre of our lives. No bolt-on, no added-extra, no 'gym on Monday, football on Tuesday, Jesus on Wednesday'. Connection to Jesus 24/7 does not promise exemption from the troubles of this world, but it does mean we are not alone and it does mean that we can live our lives 'freely and lightly'.