My First 33 Years

If I were to sum up my first 33 years as a Jesus follower, I would say that I had learned a lot about God. I had learned about His kindness, grace, power and heart for us, but there was still a deep unsettled weariness to it all. I have said it often, but looking back, I was just as soul tired as my agnostic neighbor who wanted nothing to do with Jesus.

I was the one who had this Jesus thing that others supposedly wanted so badly. It was my job to invite others into this life of rest. Problem: the rest I was living and sold was not actually from  Jesus but from my striving...which wasn’t going so hot!

Jesus didn’t say to learn about Him in Matt 11:28-30.

Matt 11:28-30 NIV  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matt 11:28-30 MSG “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.”

WHO DOESN’T WANT THAT?! Nah, I’m good (I say with great sarcasm). I’d like to remain stuck, in emotional chains and with a heaviness that ultimately is too much to bear!

Jesus is inviting us to learn FROM Him, not just about Him. It is a walking with, a working with kind of relationship. This is Jesus’ model for making disciples. We can go listen to a message every weekend which is all about Jesus (80 Minutes of our week btw), but when it stays there at the learning about part, then we don’t actually learn the unforced rhythms of grace! From and With are powerful words that Jesus is inviting us into this week.

This Week’s 10000minute Practice:

Memorize Matthew 11:28-30 with us and live as though it’s true!