Are you tired?

 I couldn't stay awake this morning so have slept some as I have tried to read my devotions.  Hubby tossed and turned from about midnight on.  Usually he doesn't wake me up, but for some reason last night, every time he flipped over, it woke me until this morning I feel exhausted and weary.  It's mornings like these I wish I didn't have to work so that I could take a nap later this morning if I wanted to.  But, not only do I have to work this morning, I have a 4 hour meeting I have to sit in and take minutes.  AND I have to walk Sheeba in about 30 minutes.  But I just couldn't doze this morning and not read anything or spend some time with God.

I read in The Message this morning and as it sometimes does when I pause and pay attention, it will speak to me.  Especially this morning.  The first three words of Matthew11:28-30 grabbed me.

Matthew11:28-30 - "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.'

Read it again, slowly.  Take your time.  What words stand out to you?  Unless you are as tired as I am, the first three words you will read over lightly.  But that is just physically tired.  (now that I'm writing this, I'm starting to wake up)  Do you see the words  'come to me', 'recover your life', 'walk with me and work with me', 'watch how I do it', 'keep company with me'?  

Yeah, some of you would see first the words 'burned out on religion' - but are you really?  You may claim that it was crammed down your throat when you were growing up - but if you really think about it - it wasn't.  Yes, you may have had to go to church every Sunday and Wednesday and sometimes in-between, but it was not crammed down your throat.  That is just your excuse for not going to church or listening to messages online now.  That's all it is - an excuse to NOT go.  

But back to what I was saying - the words that I listed in a paragraph above - do you notice how many different ways Jesus just says 'hang out with me'?  Which one sounds the most inviting to you?    It's ok to be honest.  Learning to live 'freely and lightly' may not be a term you would use (nor me), but you know walking with Jesus is never forced or heavy or ill-fitting.

Jesus speaks very personally and conversationally in this passage.  I like the phrase 'come to me'.  In fact, if you will notice, I or me occurs eight time, and you occurs five times.  So read the words as if Jesus is talking directly to you.  How would you reply to Him?  What do you need to discuss with Jesus today?  You know, prayer isn't that hard - it's just talking to Jesus like you would a friend.

Talk a walk this morning - either physically or in your mind.  Take a few minutes and walk that favorite path; keep company with Jesus.  Tell Him what has been going on in your life and your struggles, your moments of joy.  Yes, I know, He knows it all anyway, but you know what, He loves for you to just talk with Him and tell Him what is on your mind.

That's one reason my mornings are so important to me.  Do you think I enjoy getting up at 4AM?  I am not a morning person at all.  I get up at 4AM so that I can spend quality time with Jesus.   I enjoy my walks with Sheeba (although she has gotten to be a "two-bagger" each morning (sigh)) and I am limited in my walk with her.  But in that two mile walk when we walk, I get to sing praises (out loud, even! Though not THAT loud) and just talk with Jesus as I walk along.  Some mornings He really gets an earful!

Take a (mental) walk this morning and begin to share with Jesus the things that have been weighing heavy upon your heart.  Ask His opinion.  Ask Him to guide you to make the right choices.  Let Him lead you.  

Are you joyful this morning?  Sing praises and thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness.

"His mercy is new EVERY morning, great is His Faithfulness."  

Come walk with me this morning...... let's talk with Jesus.