Week 33 - The Rhythms Of Grace
“Are you tired? Worn out?… Come to me… Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
Whenever I ask people how they are, the most common reply I receive is either “busy” or “stressed.” Seldom do I hear “very free” or “nothing to do.” It is not surprising that stress is the number one health problem in our society today. An increasing number of workers report they are experiencing stress at work. The levels of stress have also gone up for children and teenagers in recent years.
Living in a fast-paced city like Singapore has its pros and cons. Things get done fast and efficiently but they come with a price — psychological stress. Doctors tell us that psychological stress can damage our body’s defences against infection and disease. We live in a busy and stressful society. What can we do about it? How can we live a stress-free life? How can we dance to a different drum beat?
Two thousand years ago, our Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (
”Come to me”
Section titled “”Come to me””In the midst of our stressful living, Jesus invites us to come to Him. We do not need a programme or a plan to ward off our busy lifestyle and stress. We need a person, our Lord Jesus Christ, to help us deal with the many demands on our time, energy and resources. Come to Him in prayer and sit at His feet like Mary did in
”Walk with me and work with me”
Section titled “”Walk with me and work with me””Jesus also invites us to learn from Him about the rhythm of work and rest. He says, “Walk with me and work with me.” To walk with Jesus means we must be close to Him. It also implies that we have fellowship with Him in conversation and sharing. Besides walking with Him, we are also invited to work with Him.
”Learn the unforced rhythms of grace”
Section titled “”Learn the unforced rhythms of grace””We all know that when things are done in a rhythmic way, it requires less effort. Jesus tells His disciples to “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Rhythm is so important. We all have to have rhythm in our life. When our life has rhythm, things flow along gracefully. There is a sense of lightness as we weave in and out of our daily routine, counting everything as a blessing from the Lord.
Our life becomes like a symphony of praise, always in tune with the Lord’s harmony. Is your life marked by the “unforced rhythms of grace”? Jesus is inviting us to come into a place of recovery, for learning and for growing. This is Jesus’ way of ensuring freedom from a stressful lifestyle. Spend time with Him. Learn His ways. See how He does things and how He spends His time.
Someone once observed that contemporary society values action and accomplishment over rest, and considers doing something better than doing nothing. City dwellers especially have lost the rhythm of life, the rhythm between work and rest, night and day, acting and reflecting. It is only when we embrace the rhythm of grace, when we walk with Jesus and work with Him, that we live a fulfilled life, the life that God has intended for His children.
What does it look like for us to experience this “unforced rhythms of grace” Jesus talks about? Well, Jesus is offering us a relationship, an invitation to walk with Him and to work with Him. It is an invitation to embark on a journey with Him in our sojourn on earth.
Unforced rhythms of grace only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we are feeling worn or burnt out, it is an indication that we are doing things with our own strength. So ask yourself: Are you weary and heavy laden? If yes, you need to learn the unforced rhythms of grace by walking with Jesus and working with Him.
Stress has been and will continue to be a common phenomenon in Singapore society. We cannot run away from stress but we can come to our Saviour who invites us to learn the unforced rhythms of grace.