THE MESSAGE OF COMING ASIDE
Does this text sound familiar? It is Matthew 11:28-30, taken from The Message, by Eugene Peterson. It is one of the most beloved passages in all of scripture, which touches the longing of every heart to find rest, restoration, and refreshing from our pastor Jesus. However, familiarity with this passage can cause us to read right on over it, if we are not careful. Most people can quote it, but it is not an easy concept to come into. I like the fresh way this rendering puts it, especially the part about learning the “unforced rhythms of grace”. This describes the whole concept of coming aside. Finding the rhythm between work and rest cannot be forced, neither can anybody can make you do it, not even Jesus. It must be learned by experience, taught be our Good Pastor. While I can share with you what I have learned about coming aside, emphasizing the need to do it, illustrating it with examples of how I have done it, in the end, only Jesus can show you how to do it for where you are at in this moment in time. The real beauty of this passage is His promise to lead us into it as we follow Him.
“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 Taken from The Message)
While I try
to practice what I preach in these notes, often with three steps forward
and two steps back, it has not been easy. I have to admit that I don’t
live at this level all the time, but I do camp there as often as I can.