“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
I keep coming back to these life-changing statements made by Jesus during His time on earth. As we move past the Easter holiday, I pray that the power of His life, death, and resurrection is not crossed off our focus list like so many other to-dos from our weekend.
Jesus Christ didn’t give His life for us to now run around exhausted, striving for external praise while criticizing our internal purpose and pain.
Let’s break this passage of scripture down a little more . . .
““Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Anyone else raising their hand?! I find it discouraging that so much of our exhaustion comes from our good intentions, people-pleasing, and even efforts to be the ‘Godly woman’ the church has described to us in unrealistic and un-gospel detail. How did we get off track from the message of Easter? If this stirs your curiosity, please consider our upcoming local Tired of Being Tired Book club. At least order a copy of Jess Connolly’s new book now – it’s so wonderfully put together and valuable to your heart, soul, strength, and mind!
Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
Did you hear that? Jesus’ main request is that we come to Him and get away with Him! Come rest in His love, joy and peace. True restoration and transformation can only be found by coming to Him and shifting your gaze to solely focus on our Risen Savior.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Considering Jesus walked on the earth 2,000+ years ago, His ‘showing’ us will likely be a little unconventional. The help that comes from His Spirit is truly revealing, but from a more applicable standpoint, just go watch The Chosen series and let Jesus show you His kindness and compassion that bring ultimate rest.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Recently I’ve been processing and trying to apply the message in the image below. Because without Jesus’ kindness and compassion towards ourselves, shame is deep chronic pain and working to overcome is our superficial medical care. Yet Jesus’ message is quite the contrary: He never commands us to work harder to overcome our wounds and burdens. He commands us to come to Him, surrender, replace shame with love, and just worship in His grace and peace.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.””
Again, Jesus has a simple command – to keep company with Him. Keep His love and His life at the forefront of our minds. When our inner critic speaks up, remind her Whose you are! Keep His truth, power, grace and victory over death in your hearts. And let yourself process the heavy stuff of shame, pain, anxiety, fear, and hurt through His lens of kindness and compassion. He wants to keep company with the real you – the imperfect version. That’s where His freedom and light are found!
I hate all this silly religion, but you, God, I trust. I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love; you saw my pain, you disarmed my tormentors, You didn’t leave me in their clutches but gave me room to breathe.
Psalms 31:6-8MSG
Let’s breathe deep, Friends. He’s made lots of room for YOU! He’s still on the throne, eager to give grace and mercy each and every day! (Hebrews 4:16)
Burning Bright! 