Unforced Rhythms

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 11:30, MSG

I HAVE A FAVORITE place to breathe. A favorite view. It’s when I walk over the worn, wooden planks leading to that first inhale of carefree, salty air. This breath, coupled with the sound of waves folding themselves rhythmically on top of each other right into the golden sand, is magical. I am certain that beaches heal souls; nothing beats the warmth of the sun, sand, and saltwater.

For years growing up, my parents braved the nineteen-hour car ride with my sister and me from Toledo, Ohio, to Galveston, Texas. Then we spent a decade of vacations in Myrtle Beach. And in more recent years, we have reconvened together in Hilton Head, now as a much larger family. Each time the week comes to a close, it feels as though we are closing the gates of heaven.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 11, paraphrased by Eugene Peterson, remind me of this peace I so often feel while standing near the oceanside. It’s one of the most beautiful calls to humanity:

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.

Matthew 11:28, MSG

Are you tired? Check.

Worn out? Duh.

Burned out on rule-keeping? Always.

Go to Jesus, and recover your life.

He is inviting us to a sunny, easy spot where we learn the rhythm of the waves, the unforced rhythms of grace. Where we shove our cell phones deep into our beach bags, release the stresses of earning and hustle, let go of expectations and burdens, and trade them all to sit next to Jesus in a beach chair. To keep company with the King, where we recover our entire lives.

What if we take the time each day to sit next to Jesus, to take a load off our shoulders, to lay down our striving to be loved, and just chat with the One who loves us unconditionally? There’s a peace at the beach that seems nothing short of heaven. There are carefree children, very few rules, and the feelings of freedom. Going to Jesus is like that—trading my heavy load for a lighter one. Living freely and lightly. Breathing in His calming peace.

What if we read this call and imagined walking with Jesus to the edge of the water? What if we came to find out that being with Jesus is like sun, sand, and saltwater to the soul?

You may be thinking I’ve forgotten about the hard road of following Christ into suffering. I haven’t forgotten, dear one. But when He says His yoke is easy and His burden is light, He wants us to feel as free as we do when we stand in front of the ocean. In Him, we have no burdens. We can rest. We are unyoked from rules and religion. We are free to follow Him wherever He takes us.

GRACE REFLECTION: Picture your favorite spot in nature: mountains, a park, the woods, the beach. Then picture Jesus with you. How would you rest in Him in this moment?