By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

“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

Do you feel as though you are trapped on a never-ending treadmill based on your own efforts to try to earn God’s forgiveness, approval and acceptance? If you are trying to earn your own forgiveness and thinking that God is constantly mad at you, I am here to tell you that is not the heart of God.

When Jesus spoke of “the unforced rhythms of grace,” He means that there is an ease and enjoyment when you walk in His grace. This contrasts with the struggle and strain found in self-effort. There is rest when you know there is nothing you can do to earn His forgiveness. It is freely given. Receive His forgiveness and stop punishing yourself, because your sins have already been punished on the body of another—His name is Jesus. No wonder the Gospel is called the Good News.

When you understand God’s grace and forgiveness, you will understand the difference between religious obligation and relationship. Under the old covenant of the law, right-living is done out of religious obligation. Under the new covenant of grace, everything we do today is birthed out of an inward
motivation that flows directly from a love relationship with Jesus.

God is not a legalist. He doesn’t want you to read His Word just because He said so, as a religious obligation. He wants you to experience His love and spend time in His Word because you want to enjoy His sweet presence. The reality is, when you don’t read the Bible, you should not feel guilty; you should feel hungry.

Jesus invites you to walk, work and watch in rhythmic timing as He does, and experience “the unforced rhythms of grace.” Keep company and in sync with Him and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly!