Unforced rhythms of grace
The Message
Matthew 11:28-30
“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.” (Emphasis mine)
I’ve been studying this passage for about a week now. Parts of it spoke to me right away, and other parts (like the one underlined and italicized) kept me coming back for more. There was something about that phrase, “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” that sounded so appealing, and yet I couldn’t quite comprehend what it meant for me. So, I did what I normally do when I come to a verse or passage of Scripture that captures my attention but is not something I understand: I kept coming back to it each and every day and prayed over it.
Today I looked up the study notes on these verses, and they led me to Hebrews 4:16 which says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” I then moved to the notes for this verse and found this: “It is called the ‘throne of grace’ because from it flow God’s love, help, mercy, forgiveness, spiritual power, outpouring of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, and all that we need under any circumstances.”
The desire within me that was captured so fully and eloquently in “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” became clearer and clearer to me. For awhile now I’ve been praying and attempting to live in a way that I better represent Christ to those around me. I’ve failed miserably at this in the past, and have desired to grow in this. I want to learn the “unforced” rhythms of grace. I want Christ to become such a powerful force in my life that His presence in me automatically exudes His love, help, mercy, forgiveness, spiritual power, outpouring of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, fruit of the Spirit, and all that is needed by others under any and all circumstances.
I want to “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” I want more of Christ in my life. I want to exude all that He is to others. How about you?