“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)
Religion has a way of wearing people out when it moves from a relationship to rules. It’s the difference between loving someone and something. If I love what is made it has no way of reciprocating in the relationship and eventually I will tire of it. The reason so many have negative attitudes about church and religion is they’ve tried it.
Jesus dealt with the founding members of The Bad Religion Hall of Fame. They followed him around looking to see how God in the flesh would break the rules they made up about His Kingdom. When I start trying to live by the expectations of others instead of following Jesus I’m bound to wear myself out.
Jesus says come to him. He doesn’t say go to church, though we should. He doesn’t say be good, though we ought. He says come and work with him, watch how he does it. How does he do it? Jesus doesn’t force things. He walks freely under grace, freely and lightly. I picture skipping down the sidewalk in the park.
Jesus says get away with him and recover my life. This world sucks the life out of me. When I walk on my own I feel the air pressure change, finding it hard to breathe. When I get away with Jesus, I can relax and live like he lives. What is Jesus worried about, anyway?
I have a choice of the company I keep. Walking with those who make life about rules and worldly expectations will weigh me down. Walking and working with Jesus is like walking in a perfect, comfortable, form-fitting pair of my favorite shoes. I think I’ll take the free and light way, as I skip down the road of life.
Deep Questions 