"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." Matthew 11:28 (The Message)
Just a nice story?
Jesus says to his disciples, "follow me." In my imagination I see him walking down the road in "Jesus-clothes." He talks with his team while traveling through a relatively barren landscape. As I look past this group of men and women, I see sun-baked, brown rolling hills, sparse vegetation, and white, flat-roofed houses in a small village just up ahead. It's serene and safe, reminiscent of vignettes in those Jesus films.
Follow right there
However, I live in Redmond, WA. Jesus says, "follow me," here! He's not in a tan robe, it's rarely sunny and it's not brown. As I look out my window I'm surrounded by evergreens. It rains a lot, there's pavement, concrete, houses and glass-clad skyscrapers, people are rushing, there's homelessness, a down-turned economy, teenagers with issue, and elderly struggling to make ends meet.
Even here Jesus still says, "Follow me." This means in good times when it's sunny and easy, and in bad times when it's overcast and dreary. He invites - no gently urges me - to follow even through darkness, while I'm in pain, when I can't see, when I don't understand, when I'm too tired, or when I'm overwhelmed by my life. Following is most important when it's not my envisioned ideal scenario. It's harder too.
A promise to guide
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 32:8 where God promises his followers, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." This is good news in these confusing times. It's what I'm counting on as we build Semper Vita.
(I get up from my desk and rush out the door) "Wait up, I'm coming!"
