We learn perfectly when we are mirroring what we see in Jesus. As we look into Jesus’ face, God’s light shines in our hearts. The dark places are filled instead with light.
This process of transformation doesn’t frustrate God. It is the normal way of things. Imagine him loving you and welcoming you to learn from him. You don’t have to accidentally learn or timidly peek, wondering if God will show you or not. Listen to these words from Jesus himself. We know Matthew was a tax collector, someone who meticulously kept records. We are privy to his firsthand account of Jesus. (Listen to me trying to convince you with emphatic words and Matthew’s proven validity)
“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:
God loves us so completely and so faithfully. You will have to take my word for this. Or don’t, but still pay attention to him. You might start your day tomorrow not believing he really loves you. If you still pay attention, you are giving him the opportunity to reveal himself.
His love is why we can rest. We don’t have to strive or achieve. We don’t have to face down imposter syndrome or defeat our temptations and shortcomings. I am inviting you to learn a new way. The way of Jesus, the way Jesus lives it. He will show you how. Watch him and copy.
Just like my children, we need to experience and know. God’s way is a relational way. There is no osmosis or other fast track. It is simple, yet hard. You must live your life with him. Period.
Here it the formula: follow Jesus every moment of every day and watch how he does things. He is doing all things with you, so pay attention. Pay attention to yourself— your emotions, your body, your thoughts. Then listen and watch as Jesus talks to you about his emotions, his body, and his thoughts.
How does he respond when he is cut off? How does he respond when he is belittled? How does he respond when he’s hungry? As you live every moment secure in his love, he will teach you his unforced rhythms of grace.
Let Jesus show you his love. For it is his love that casts out fear. Without fear, you will notice your responses changing slowly but surely. So allow God to prove himself. You have permission to ask him, “Do you still love me?” “Do you love me after I did that?” “What about that?” “Even still?”
You will never exhaust God’s love for you. The answer will always be, “Yes. Yes, I still love you.” All the things we do and say and think and feel are changed as we rest in God's love. Love replaces fear one tiny step at a time. And before we know it, we are heavy with our eternal nature.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4: