Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Hello SPV Fam, it was so good to see all of you last weekend and I look forward to being with you again in just a couple of weeks. 
If you read the fine print of my contract, you’ll see that I am contractually obligated to preach/do a lesson on Matthew 11:28-30 at least once a year so here it goes: 
"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.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬
If you know me at all then you know one of my most ardent beliefs and convictions is that following Jesus and living a life of faith shouldn’t be “heavy” or burdensome and if it is, then there’s a really good chance we’re doing it wrong. Now that doesn’t mean life itself won’t be “heavy” or a burden on occasion (at the very least) if not regularly. But I firmly believe the way of Jesus, although challenging at times, should never be the source of your fatigue. In fact, Jesus is saying that if we follow/keep company with him, that we will learn from him how to live lives that are free & light. He didn’t say “completely free of all trouble”, but that “forced rhythms of grace” are available to us as we navigate the worries and troubles life throws at us. 
I pray each of us would both walk and work with Jesus and learn how he does it. 

Much love & unforced rhythms of grace to you all, 
Pastor Chris. 


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