Wellspring of Joy
• In Christ, I am one of God’s people
1 Peter 2:9
You are a chosen people…God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Pondering Point
Anybody can be "a people,” to use poor grammar. But not everybody is HIS people. We are God’s chosen people – listen to this – HIS special possession. All the hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs, prayers and preaching, giving and serving that occur in His name are a testimony of praise to Him who called us out of darkness into HIS light – HIS marvelous light.
Prayer
Father God, I pray that my life is a declaration of praise to You who called me out of the darkness of sin and death and into a life with You and Your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. May Your light shine through me as I am a light in this world for You. In Jesus name. Amen.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Let's come back to another invitation of Jesus. The one we started this book off with, from Matthew 11. It doesn't get much airplay, but it's my favorite by far.
Do me a favor: reread it, but this time slowly, giving each word time to metabolize into your system: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.
Okay, let's read it one more time. Even slower. Breathe deeply; don't rush this part; God has something for you in this moment: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Now read Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of those same verses in The Message. Again, slowly: “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.”
“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” How good is that line? This is an invitation – for all the tired, the burned-out, the stressed, and all those stuck in traffic and behind on their to-do lists, reaching for another cup of coffee just to make it through the day. Anyone like that out there? Let me rephrase that: anybody not like that out there?
J.M. Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, p. 78, 79