“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 MSG
What a great invitation, and what amazing promises to check out at the start of another year! But what does it mean to come to Jesus? Well He lays it out here clearly, ‘Walk with me, work with me, watch me, learn from me, keep company with me.’ How we spend our time, who we spend it with, and who we listen to and learn from is always going to influence the direction and actions of our lives the most. The Church is Christ’s body here on the earth, and it’s by being part of His body, grafted in to the family of God, that is the best way to keep company with Him. Here we can walk with Him, work with Him and keep company with Him as we spend time with other believers. Here we can hear His Word, be encouraged in our worship and prayer together, and be inspired and motivated to mission. Together we are the Church, His body, bringing Good News and hope to a weary world and extending that same invitation to come as we learn and demonstrate our love for God, for each other and to the world that we are in! In 2024 let’s not just go to church from time to time, let’s actually be the church! Lord, thank You for this amazing family You have called me to be part of, help me to take my place and to use my gifts and to discover the rest and recovery that always happens when I surrender and come to You. Amen 🙏🏼❤️