Matthew_11

Scripture

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I love The Message version….

^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.”

Observation

Chapter 11 brings about the recognition of Christ as the one that John and his disciples had been waiting for, Jesus’s frustration with the generation, His condemnation of the cities where the most “work” had been done with the least response…but He ends the Chapter in love and grace.

Understanding

“You will find rest for your souls.”

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”

“Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

These are bold statements…especially in a world of high blood pressure and anxiety and more stress related illnesses than we can count. But I believe these statements are just as true today as they were in Jesus’s time. 

Philippians 4:6-7

…6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearst and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Though our walk with Christ is not promised to be easy, we can take comfort in knowing that He will provide peace (and we can choose joy) despite circumstances. As with many promises, though, there is a premise.  We are to “come to Him,” “present our requests to God,” pray, “keep company with Him.”

Recently, I was having panic attacks due to stress. I didn’t feel stressed out but my body was telling me otherwise.  And, sure, there was reason to be stressed – kid stuff, work stuff, home stuff, etc.  I even remembered during that time recalling a conversation that I’d had months before with Levi where he pointed out that when people are stressed, they have usually taken their focus off of God; but I was sure that wasn’t the case.  If you would have asked me if I had been keeping my quiet times and prayers, I would have said yes…I thought I was…that’s part of my every day.  And this was during the fast…so wasn’t I even doing more of that???  I felt like I was.  But then came a spiritual assessment – a set of specific, poignant questions that make you really take stock of how you’re prioritizing reaching up, in and out…and I scored horribly.  It was then that I realized why I was feeling the way I did.

As children of God, we are invited to peace; but it’s not automatic, we first need to seek Him. Alongside that, though, is the accountability that comes with living in community.  We need to have relationships that keep us connected to Him and to each other.  In this case, I personally reached out to PG to thank him for the assessment because I needed and valued the course correction.

Life Application

God, I’m thankful for your many emotions. Your anger when you’ve got my best in mind and I choose to go my own way.  Jealousy over my heart.  Grace and tenderness. 

Knowing that you experience these makes me feel seen, known and understood…which should come as no surprise since you are my Creator.

Thank you for the peace you provide…the unforced rhythms of grace. May I be conscious of You as the source of that peace.  Help me to quickly recognize when I’m “off” and how to best get back on course; and surround me with a community honest enough to speak up when I fail to recognize it myself.  Help me to be that community to those I know and love as well.  And, finally, may I be so filled with peace that people experience your refreshing presence through the interactions you place me in today.

In your name, I pray…Amen.

- Rei

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