That's Heavy!

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: MATTHEW 11: 16-19, 25-30 (MESSAGE)

How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, 'We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.' John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called me a lush, a friend of the riffraff. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."

Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work." Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.

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.

Are you tired? Are you worn out? Are you burned out on church, on faith, on caring for others? Does it feel like every time you try to help, to care, to reach out, your efforts are thwarted? Do you feel like you and your intentions aren’t appreciated? Does that bum you out?

If you said yes to even one of these questions, then what do you believe that Jesus is inviting you to when he says, “Come to me and recover your life.”? How does knowing God and being in relationship with God lighten your load and renew your life? Where have you noticed the unforced rhythms of grace in your life? When do you experience the free and light life to which Jesus refers?

At Christ Church, summer is a time when things are simpler, friendlier, and a bit less formal. Join us this Sunday, July 3 for fellowship on the front porch at 9:00am and worship at 9:30am when we will join together in Holy Communion and our children will teach us sign language for some really important words (Do this in remembrance of me). Dress comfortably, bring a friend and discover a lighter load and the freedom and joy Jesus offers. See you in church.