What if we didn’t have to do it all?
All the tasks. All the expectations. All the pressure to perform.
What would happen if we simply stopped trying to do it all?
Would we still have value?
Would we still belong?
Maybe that’s the challenge with doing—beneath all our activity is a voice telling us, “Once you get it all done, you’ll finally be enough.”
So we work harder, because there is always more to-do. And the more we do, the more exhausted we feel. In the middle of all the striving, even Jesus can seem like just another person giving us more to-do.
What if Jesus invites us to a different way of living?
People in Jesus’ day felt the same kind of pressure to do. Their to-do lists looked different, but the weight of expectation was the same. They, too, were exhausted from trying to do it all.
Once when Jesus was with a crowd of people overwhelmed by the pressure to perform, he said:
“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, The Message)
For centuries, Jesus’ words have shown people a different way to live. He doesn’t come with hidden agendas or endless to-do lists. He values us for who we are, not for what we accomplish. Even now, Jesus still speaks to the weary: “Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”