“Unforced Rhythms of Grace”
“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you…” (NLT)
“Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace…Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:29-30 The Message
Living under a yoke may sound inhibiting to some people. But during this unexpected journey of mine, I’m learning that Jesus’ yoke is a training school. Under His yoke, I let Him teach me! Under that yoke, I’m connected so closely to Jesus that I feel His every step, and I learn to walk in sync with His every step. And under Jesus’ yoke, I love the lessons I’m learning!
First, Jesus shows me the Father. Just prior to this invitation, Jesus said that no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. What better way to see revelations of the Father, then to be yoked to His Son! Jesus acts like His Father and does exactly what His Father tells Him to do!
Second, I learn the secrets of the Kingdom, just like Jesus promised His disciples in Mt. 13:11. Jesus was God in the flesh, the embodiment of the Kingdom, so the disciples watched the Kingdom in action every day. Likewise, as I walk with Him and work with Him, I learn how to act like Him— to be dependent on my Father like a child, to serve others, to die to myself, and to give grace, even when it hurts. Yoked to Jesus, I learn life secrets that are contrary to the world’s thinking.
Third, the lesson I need the most, I learn the “unforced rhythms of grace.” No longer do I wear myself out, performing tasks that are forced by my own insecurity. Instead, I learn to rest in God’s grace to me, and then give that same grace to everyone else.
So, the essence of living under Jesus’ yoke could be summed up by the phrase, unforced rhythms of grace. Perhaps that’s what Jesus meant when He said, “Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.” In GOD’s grace, life is not forced. The rhythms of grace flow freely—from God—to me—then through me—to others!
What a way to live—yoked to Jesus!
Learning to live freely and lightly—
with the unforced rhythms of HIS grace!
(I’ll be a student in this school forever—I love the REST I learn in the rhythms of grace!)
