by Rachel Langston
“There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him? Worse still, supposing He had found us?” C.S. Lewis
SIMPLE BUT NOT EASY
During the last several months, I’ve heard the messages of “Unhitching From The Crazy Train” in multiple settings. Each time, different aspects of the study have stood out and God has spoken in different areas of my life. True to my personality, each time I reread and process my notes, I find myself hoping they contain the “last piece of the puzzle”. I’m always looking for that one thing a discipline, a program, a person, a book, a formula to connect everything else in my picture. I confess; I want to discover an easy way to live a Christ-filled, Spirit controlled life.
Why? Because all my striving, following the rules, learning the verses and singing the songs hasn’t done anything but make me tired and show me how much I’ll never measure up. In her book, Chasing God, Angie Smith describes that feeling,
“For most of my Christian life, I have been chasing God. I have piled up commentaries, memorized scholar’s words, and watched how others walk with Him, all the while keeping journals of the bread crumbs I think He’s leaving for me as I go…We shape theology to suit our taste, our times, our situations, and our desires. It’s the mess we’ve made by desiring to understand Him more than we know Him, and we’re growing more exhausted than inspired every day.”
Can anyone relate? Anyone else feel like they are juggling too many balls in the air while trying not to lose sight of Jesus at the same time? Anyone else constantly reacting, or overreacting, to everyone and everything BUT Jesus? That’s my version of the Crazy Train!
But there’s good news!
“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 11:2830 (MSG)
Thankfully, the answer isn’t more balls to keep in the air, programs to start or places to be. It’s just three words come, learn, keep. Three words that show us how to know Jesus. Simple but, most assuredly, not easy. When Jesus says “come”, it’s not to find Him or catch Him. He’s not a moving target, ahead of us, on the way somewhere else. He’s inviting, approachable and waiting.
When Jesus says “learn”, it signals a process that never stops. By watching Him, studying Him and experiencing Him, we gain knowledge that comes from being and not from doing.
When Jesus says “keep”, it’s because relationships must be maintained. We can’t know Him unless we are continually with Him.
What about your Crazy Train? Are you looking for the last piece of your puzzle?
Look at Christ’s simple words. That’s where I found mine.