Our faith community is preparing to start a new fall focus that is all about having authentic relationship with Christ and others. We are calling it "Rediscover The Rest Of Life" because Jesus told us that He has come to bring rest for the weary, assistance for the burdened, and new life for those burned out. I often experience the weariness and exhaustion of life and living. Fortunately, I know where to go to get rest and to "recharge the batteries" of my life. Of course, I, like many others...maybe even you, am often slow to admit my need and to embrace this resting and recharging.
Why are we so slow to turn to a place of infinite grace? Why do we prefer to "do it my way" instead of doing it the best way? Why do we allow ourselves to become weary to the bone...even to the deep crevices of our soul? Why can't we embrace God's rhythm of grace that is all around us? Why can't we receive the rest that is before us and lighten the burdens that overwhelm us?
I know the theological "right answers" to these questions but they are not always the best or most comforting ones. I still wrestle with these matters and I find that wrestling with such things happens in the blunt ugliness of our very real world. As I discover and rediscover God's answers everyday, I am reminded that life and faith happens in the valleys of life's challenges and not so much in the vaulted ivory towers of faith and religion.
As I discover and rediscover the rest of life, let me encourage you to join in the wonderful journey. Please come and join us anytime at Epworth UMC where we are attempting to rediscover the no nonsense joy of the rest of life found only in Jesus Christ. Come and join us on our real journey for authentic faith!!
Brint
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Brint, thank you for this opportunity to speak about what's happened during my day..I left work preturbed today, but driving home helped me to calm down and look at God's word of forgiveness. He forgives me for my feelings of stress and anger at my coworkers, so how dare I carry on and dig deeper in the well of anger. He told me through a CD that I had in when I parked (it started up) about how he suffered from blows, stripes, hits, and curses from people he had tried to love. I thought about the pain, agony, fear, and humiliation he had felt for me, for those in cars, passing me, for my coworkers, for everyone. I had tears of joy for that forgiveness and now can think about a better day at work tomorrow. I can hardly wait! God was real for me today, and remined me I'm his, no matter what.
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