Moving in the unforced rhythms of grace!

Blogging ... oh yeah I was doing that wasn't I? I know I said this might happen, but thought It would take a little longer. This morning I realised that I have not written or posted anything for a while. Now that is partly because I've just had a week off, and before that I had been writing a lot about disability for work. You know busy, but to be honest, I kind of forgot this thing existed, yay for for object permanence. Then someone clicked on a link so my phone reminded me that this is indeed something I am doing, and that at least a few people have been reading it.

So today I've been thinking about dancing .... not a normal state of affairs for me as I can't dance generally having the grace and elegance of of walrus. Last night I manged to walk into the end of the bed! I regularly bump into doorways and can fall over my own feet just walking down the road! I also, unlike other members of my family, don't enjoy watching other people dance. So why the interest?

This morning at church the preacher was talking about rhythms of life and why resting is important for us, both as human beings and as Christians. (There were a few other things about how we welcome people and about family. However, my attention was now fixed on dancing!) The key point was that we need the sabbath (times of rest with God) in order to stay in step. If we don't take that time we will quickly end up moving to a different rhythm, forcing ourselves to move in what we think is the right way, but which does not bring freedom.

My memory was drawn back to about 23 years ago when I was at one of the big Christian conferences at a session to learn new music. I was helping out with the AV setup and people watching. Right at the back of the tent I noticed someone dancing, with what appeared to be an effortless grace, it was only when talking to her afterwards that I discovered she had clubfoot, walking was a challenge, trying to go in a straight line was a challenge and constraining. But when she was able to move with the music she found a new freedom.

Image by Sally Coleman

One of my favourite readings (thank my mum for this) is from Matthew 11 verses 28-30 from The Message translation.

“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)

I love the idea that following Jesus is not about learning how to follow strict rules, or doing things the right way. But is instead about resting walking and working with Jesus, in ways that are life giving and restorative. Rather than being tiring they bring joy and new life as the people who God created us to be.

It is only as I type this that I realise, this is also what it feels like to drop the mask. To stop pretending to be someone I am not and to embrace the person I was created to be, with all the funny ticks and oddities that make me me. So if you need me for anything, I am going to be gracefully tripping over my own feet and walking into doorways. I will however, not be trying to dance ... I promise.