Wisdom For The Day Devotional 3 January 2025 By Bishop Mike Okonkwo – Resting In The Rhythms Of Grace
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)
TOPIC: Resting In The Rhythms Of Grace (TREM Devotional 3 January 2025)
Beloved, have you noticed that for some people, especially at the turn of the new year, they find themselves under pressure to ensure that they get off on the right foot in pursuit of their goals and new year aspirations? Many times, they might start off right with great enthusiasm and grit, but not too long after, they end up only getting so far, and are back to where they started from. It is what I call the “rat race of life”, and it does not yield any profit.
Jesus offers us a different template instead, for the year 2025; He says, “Rest in the rhythms of Grace, my dear child. You have done it your way all these years, and have been wearied-out, beaten-down and battered by the weights and burdens of the world; how about you try it my way, this year?”
I particularly love how The Message Translation captures it, “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.”
Child of God, wouldn’t you want this to be your experience in 2025? I’m sure you are tired of struggling, bearing burdens that you are not built to carry, and being called the chief rat in the rat race. Take those burdens to Jesus; He wants to take them off you.
This is the year to get away with Jesus and recover your life. It might be that you’re stuck in a religious routine that has robbed you of the joy of your salvation; this is your time to recover your life. Jesus is the personification of Rest, and He is your Teacher. He will take you along the best course for your life, by His Spirit.
Enough of running the rat race of life; it is time to rest in the rhythms of grace. Jesus has paid the price for your rest in full; yours is to believe and freely receive all that His death, burial and resurrection purchased for you.
FURTHER READING
Hebrews 4:1-12
DAILY BIBLE READING
Morning: Genesis 8-9; Evening: Matthew 3
Wisdom For The Day Devotional was Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
