Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

“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.”

When I was 16 years old, I had a powerful encounter with God. I was baptized in water, filled with the Holy Spirit, and began witnessing boldly at work. Spiritually alive and on fire for God, I felt unstoppable. But when I went to my mom’s church, I encountered what I call the “bucket brigade”—religious people armed with rules and regulations.

Instead of encouraging me in my newfound faith, they tried to extinguish my zeal with man-made traditions and legalistic expectations. It was as if they were trying to make me wear Saul’s armor when I needed freedom to be who God called me to be.

Religious legalism has a way of draining the life out of vibrant faith. It prioritizes external rules over internal transformation. Jesus offers a different way: “I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.” His way is one of grace, not burdens.

Rest: The Starting Point for Transformation

True life change begins with rest. Jesus’ invitation to “Come to me” is an invitation to start from a place of rest, not striving. Ephesians 2:4-6 reminds us that we are already seated with Christ in heavenly places because of His finished work. Christianity is not about striving to earn salvation; it’s about living in the freedom of what Jesus has already done.

Legalism imposes exhausting rules, while the flesh traps us in destructive rhythms of sin and death. Jesus offers us a different rhythm: the unforced rhythms of grace. But to learn these rhythms, we must unlearn the habits of the flesh and embrace new, Spirit-led disciplines through discipleship.

The Power of Rhythm

Rhythms shape our lives. Good habits and bad habits alike are formed through repetition. Over time, repetition creates muscle memory, and muscle memory becomes an unforced rhythm—something we do effortlessly.

For many of us, our lives are dominated by the unforced rhythms of the flesh. Habits like cussing, being critical, or pursuing self-centered goals become second nature. But discipleship helps us break these old rhythms and establish new ones rooted in grace.

Jesus calls us to “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” Discipleship is about relationship, not rules. It’s about modeling our lives after Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit lead us into rhythms of grace.

Waiting on God: A Foundational Rhythm

One of the first rhythms we must cultivate is waiting on God. In our fast-paced, distraction-filled world, this can feel countercultural. Richard Foster, in A Celebration of Discipline, observes that our enemy thrives on “noise, hurry, and crowds.” If he can keep us busy, he can keep us from God.

Consider the attention economy: social media platforms are designed to capture and monetize your attention. The average teenager spends 4.8 hours a day on social media. Adults average 803 hours annually. By comparison, a dedicated churchgoer might spend 78 hours in church services a year.

The numbers speak for themselves. Where we invest our attention reflects our priorities. Ephesians 5:15-16 urges us to make the best use of our time because the days are evil. Instead of scrolling endlessly, we must learn to be still and wait on God.

Practical Steps for Waiting on God

  1. Find a Quiet Space: Choose a place free from distractions where you can focus on God.
  2. Set a Consistent Time: Build a habit by spending time with God daily.
  3. Silence the Noise: Turn off your devices and be fully present.
  4. Be Still: Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
  5. Reflect on Scripture: Meditate on God’s Word. Psalm 1:1-2 speaks of delighting in and meditating on God’s law day and night.
  6. Anticipate Refreshing: Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar like eagles, run without growing weary, and walk without fainting.

Learning the Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Jesus’ invitation to “learn the unforced rhythms of grace” challenges us to replace the rhythms of the flesh with Spirit-led habits. This requires intentional discipleship, where we model our lives after Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out.

This month, let’s commit to cultivating spiritual disciplines that help us engage with God deeply and consistently. Start by learning to wait on Him. As we develop these new rhythms, we’ll find ourselves living freely and lightly, just as Jesus promised.