Simply...Turn to JESUS

Read Matthew 11:25-30

There are many teachings in the Christian world today that are taught in the name of Jesus, then turn around, and point us in the direction of more self-effort. These messages say to us Jesus did all of these great things for you--now, it is up to YOU, and YOUR understanding, to go figure out how to walk in His power! This can leave us feeling void, insufficient, and well, hopeless. Messages that are truly taught in Jesus name ALWAYS point us to no one other than...JESUS!

Lets think about this for a moment. As believers are we called to look at ourselves and our own ability to figure it all out? We try to think right, act right, and talk right. We exhaust ourselves with wonder as we "try" to discern if we are even believing or interpreting the scriptures right. As believers, is it really necessary to "try" so hard? Jesus did not walk this way "trying" with all His might to be what the Father had called Him to be and do what the Father had called Him to do.

"For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [a]good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne."

Matthew 11:30

He simply was. He simply did. He simply said. He simply rested in His oneness with the Father.

I recently read a teaching that said God had set up spiritual rules that must be followed in order for us to walk in the abundant life that Jesus died for us to have. Now, I am not disputing that there are rules set by God in the spiritual realm, as gravity is a rule in this realm. I am disputing that we have the ability to figure them out. I am disputing that it is anything other than God guiding us and revealing the mysteries and secrets of His kingdom to us, that leads us to the place of walking in His abundance. Jesus was ONE with the Father and through this He instinctively knew what to do. He had the desire and will to do, say and think what was right.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

When we seek first the kingdom, God will add all we need to know into our daily lives, along with all we need. We have to learn to trust what is inside of us instead of second guessing ourselves. After all, as believers we have been given a new nature in Christ. A nature that now desires to be one with our heavenly Father through Jesus. When we spend time worrying over whether or not we are getting it right, or whether we are doing well enough, we put a kink in the flow of God's grace in our lives. God's grace--His undeserved favor, along with His power and ability to overcome and change what needs to be changed--works best in areas that we have completely surrendered and stopped worrying over.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:30 that His yoke is comfortable, do you feel comfortable? Does your life, how you feel about yourself, where you are and what you are called to do feel hard, harsh, sharp or pressing? If so, this is not the yoke you were called to carry. We have been taught by religion that we should be afraid of comfort, that if we feel comfortable we should worry. We have been given the impression that comfort and rest means that we are not growing in our walk with God. However, this is not what the Bible teaches.

Websters definitions of comfortable speak of physical ease, or more than what is needed. Jesus, says He will give us rest when we come to Him. A rest from physical or self effort. When we come to Him He is more than enough for a comfortable walk. When we are ONE with Jesus as He is ONE with the Father, we will instinctively desire to do and say what is right.

Does this mean that we will walk in perfection and never make any mistakes? Does this mean that we will never have to go and make a wrong right? No, it means that when--and I mean when--we get off course, when we realize we have missed the mark in some way or another, we will desire to make it right. When we turn to God and trust Him to guide us and lead us He will show us how.

I have come to a place in my life where I just want to simply Be. I want to enjoy everyday, where I am, not worry about where I am going, while trusting that Daddy is taking me there. I want to fellowship with Him and enjoy His company, not worry if I am good enough, or trying hard enough. I want to Simply...Turn to Jesus, and trust in what He has done for me.

Lets Talk Grace! Are you ready to simply Be? Are you too, tired of "trying"? What are some thoughts or insights you might have to share? Lets Talk Grace!