Living Lightly and Freely with Jesus
As I prayed about what devotional thoughts to share with you, I’ve kept coming back to Jesus’ invitation to us in Matthew 11: 28 – 30 encouraging us not to let living as a Christian wear us out, but to walk with him during each day and let him take the heavy load. I love these verses as they are translated in The Message.
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.
I’ve been a slow learner and I’m still learning how to live freely and lightly with Jesus each day. When I was young, there was a wonderful Christian organisation which was a training ground for many young people. We took turns in chairing the meeting, giving a short paper, perhaps giving an item and joining in the chain prayer. Over the years since, many Christian leaders have attested to the wonderful preparation this organisation gave them for beginning their future ministry.
However, when I reflect on the pledge that we signed, I notice the expressions I promise …, strive…, make it the rule of my life to pray and read the Bible every day…, endeavour to lead a Christian life—a lot of work on our part!! I’m thankful for the self- discipline this developed in me; however, as I continue to learn more about God’s grace and His promise to walk through each day with us, I realise we need to find the balance. I still do the things I promised to do in the pledge, but I’m doing them because I want to meet with Jesus at the beginning of each day. I want Him to guide me as I read the Bible and to be challenged and encouraged by it. I want to live my life in a way that pleases Him and to witness for Him. I’m learning to let Him take the heavy load. The difference is I want to do these things in His strength and not my own. I’m amazed sometimes that when I commit my day to Him, He works it out for me without the stress I would usually have and I’m able to cope with the interruptions that come along.
Dear friends, be encouraged, Jesus will meet you just where you are. Just put your hand in His and He will walk with you through each day, through each problem that overwhelms you, through each joy and each sorrow. He’ll show you the way to tackle each problem—big or small. Keep letting Him take the heavy burden while you just carry a light backpack.
Blessings
Grandma Adele
