An Unforced Rhythm

“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.”

These words are from the book of Matthew chapter 11, verse 28. I chose to quote this verse from The Message Bible because it is an easy to read and easy to understand translation of the Bible.  

These words, “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace,” come to my mind when I think of my relationship with God, and when I think of my relationship with my husband. 

We begin a relationship with God when we believe God. We begin our marriage relationship when we say, “I do.”

Shortly after we make our commitment, whether to God or to our spouse, problems pop up. 

Whatever trouble that used to come my way in marriage, always stirred up doubts about God. 

My first response to any turbulence used to be; If God is for me, then why all the problems? 

My second response used to be; I shall make all things “right.” 

The first response is natural for any human. The second response is an unnatural human force. 

Taking things into our own hands and trying to coerce people or circumstances to conform to our personal agenda, comfort, or liking, is heavy and ill fitting for everyone involved.

This last month, my blog featured stories about the times I forced my personal agenda on my husband. I know quite a bit about trying to coerce people or circumstances to conform to my personal agenda was ill fitting for everyone involved.

Consequently, having learned those lessons, I do not have to repeat them. Instead, I can now enjoy the fruits of those lessons and live freely and lightly in this season of marriage; an unforced rhythm of grace.

Why Bother?

Why bother recognizing an unforced rhythm? There comes a time when we recognize when we are forcing and when we are not. When we discover the unforced rhythm, we’ll won’t want to return to forcing anything.