the unforced rhythm of grace

Continuing on the theme of my last blog post, a friend just shared with me his thoughts on passage from Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus talks about His yoke being easy and burden light. My friend Ron's thoughts come from a paraphrased version of the Bible called 'The Message'..

"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."

in other words:

"Live in the unforced rhythm of God's grace, not by the forced rhythm of your own efforts"
(my friend Ron's personal paraphrase)

Is this something so many of us have failed to understand? Haven't we been taught, trained and disciplined to give our best, 100% all the time? At work, in church, at home, in relationships, it seems to boil down to performance, to give all we have. There of course are moments we need to give 110%, yet these should be moments, perhaps even exceptional moments. Imagine if we gave 110% all of the time, this would become quick formula for burn out! But God has not designed us or instructed us to perform this way! So where do we get the idea that we should?

How many scriptures talk about giving 100%, and how many scriptures talk about rest? Haven't done a count yet, but I'm guessing rest will win at least 2:1...

I truly believe God doesn't give anyone more than they can carry or bear. On our own initiative we take on projects that consume more energy or time than we've been given. Many businessmen, pastors, leaders act as if they have been given superpowers. Then try to deal with the burdens of disapointment, bitterness and unforgiveness when things don't develop as hoped for or expected. These are the things that weigh us down more than we can bear. And no matter how hard we try, we cannot resolve these issues within us by our own effort.

True peace and rest can only come when we let go and let God lead us in His unforced rhythm of grace.