In January God gave us a “New Years Challenge” to ask Him to show us new aspects of Himself, and to reveal things He desires for us to know about Him. The March issue of Real Women brought us to a fresh understanding that He desires us to “learn to lean” upon Him in greater manner. I have found myself practicing the “lean” in these past several months. It has been an amazing opportunity to learn about His ability to bring peace, hope or solutions as I release my faith in new areas. I trust you have discovered the same thing as leaning becomes an integral part of your lifestyle.

The Message New Testament by Eugene Peterson brings fresh revelation on this same topic. 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. Dear sisters, this is my prayer for us all. That we will take the time to spend with Him, to go to Him and ask Him to show us the unforced rhythms of grace that will lead us to fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives. I have found when I am living in the leaning stance I can more easily be drawn into those unforced rhythms of grace. I find myself moving easily from one task to another with grace and ease. God desires for us to live freely and lightly. The Amplified Bible describes it this way: For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good---not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant:, and My burden is light and easy to be borne. How does the yoke you wear fit? Is it light or does it seem burdensome?

In my seeking God on the balance of life—trying to understand by revelation the balance between walking in this rest while still responding to the scriptural mandate of “redeeming the time, for the days are evil” as the King James Bible states (Ephesians 5:16-20), I found the New Living Translation a little clearer. So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul in writing to the Ephesians is encouraging us to live our lives with the awareness that we need to be careful how we live. He says the same thing in his letter to the Colossians “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Col 4:5. He goes on in vs. 6 and says Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. How we walk with His yoke determines in many ways how we influence those around us.

I have been a Christian since I was 9 years old. I have seen many wonderful examples of believers who have inspired me to walk taller, go farther and be all I can be for His kingdom’s sake. I have also, unfortunately met some where I have had to ask, “Father, do I have to be like them?” The yoke they wore made it seem so difficult, partly because it wasn’t my yoke, and partly because they had not learned how to wear the yoke the God had asked them to wear.

Learning to bear the yoke of God begins with coming to Him and learning about Him. I believe God desires to help move us away from the “ought to’s”, the “have to’s” and the “shoulds’ toward the “get to’s”. The change in our perspective will affect how we bear His yoke. This is important not only for ourselves, but for those we lead. This is how we can more easily “make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.” When we walk with the true joy and peace of the Lord we can’t help but spread the good news. Ephesians 5:18 encourages us to “let the Holy Spirit fill and control you”, which leads us to the unforced rhythms of grace.

The rhythm of grace comes from God’s pattern in our lives. To move in that rhythm we must first learn that pattern. Different instruments produce rhythms in different manners. Percussion instruments produce sounds by being struck, guitars produce rhythms by plucking, Other instruments can use breath or bows by playing notes in a regular pattern. God sets up His rhythms in our lives according to the gifts and callings He has given us. Our rhythms are also influenced by our personal season of life. Parents of young children have different responsibilities than a senior citizen (by necessity, different rhythm patterns). A teacher’s rhythm would include more study time. A person with the gift of helps would be given time to use those gifts for others. Each of these rhythms must originate from the Lord. He invites us to come know Him and His ways. He is our music teacher. Listening to someone play skillfully on an instrument brings joy to our heart. The same thing happens when the rhythm of someone’s life is lined up by the Holy Spirit. A beautiful sound results. Adding extra beats of our own or leaving out a particular measure will lead to our lives sounding out of tune. I have encountered many busy people. Some of these people have found this “unforced rhythm of grace” and even though they are busy, the priorities in their life are in proper order and life pours forth from them. So even though their rhythm is played at a faster beat, it flows with the music of their gifts and callings.

Others who have not found this rhythm of grace, struggle. When I was young and taking music lessons, my piano teacher would always tell me to slow down. I would rush through the areas I had learned well, and then slow down during the more difficult areas. She would exhort me to play the entire piece at the same speed. I believe God gives us that same encouragement.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that for everything there is a season. Sometimes in our lives times of transition makes it difficult for us to maintain the same rhythm we have had before. We have to go back to the Lord and learn from Him how to adapt. New babies, new ministries, new bosses, new employees can all cause our rhythms to be interrupted. Loss can produce the same interruption. Death, divorce or the loss of a job can cause us to lose our rhythm. We need to understand this for ourselves, as well for those we are leading. Grace applied to each area will help us more quickly learn the new rhythm. We need to allow ourselves time to learn these new rhythm patterns, and as we do, we will once again be flowing in the unforced rhythm of grace.

Life is hectic for most people. God leads us with His peace. Walking in the peace and grace of God is attractive, and will give us a good platform to share our faith with those who are “without”.

Father, I ask that you help us to take the time to learn from you what our current rhythm pattern of grace you have for us. As we come to you through the Word, through prayer, through the preaching of the Word, and through just living our daily lives in relationship with You, please teach us about these rhythms. For those of us who are not “musically inclined” teach us how to learn this from you. In Jesus Name!

Written by: Martha Rodman