An Amazon.com message board comment caught my attention recently. “I have a zillion books in my library,” Michele said in a discussion on New Age spirituality, “books on the Kabbalah, Golden Dawn books, The Zohar, books on the Tetragrammaton, Ernest Holmes books, Dalai Lama books, Ascension books, Christian Science books, Theosophical books, and on and on.” Michele’s vast reading left her confused. “I couldn’t assemble [their teachings] into a bottom line if my life depended on it. If the ultimate communion with Source relies somehow on endless ritual and recitation, all is lost to me.”
Michele longed to commune with the “Source”— with God—but felt disheartened by the contradictory teachings her mystical authors gave about how to do so. She was weary. Burdened.
Jesus addressed people like Michele. Many years before He came to earth, another Jesus—Jesus ben Sira—had called people to find soul rest by taking on the “yoke” of the Jewish Law through study and reflection (Ecclesiasticus 51:23-27). By Christ’s time, legalistic teachers had distorted that Law, adding long lists of rules to it. This “yoke” (originally a device worn on the shoulders to make a load easier to carry) now crushed the faithful (Matthew 23:4). The people longed for God, but were burdened with “rituals and recitations.”
Jesus gave an extraordinary invitation to these weary folks. “Come to Me,” He said. “Take My yoke upon you . . . and you will find rest for your souls” (11:28-29). With those shocking words Jesus claimed that He was the ultimate source of soul rest—not the teachers’ rituals or even the Law itself.
Jesus is the ultimate source of life (John 1:4). Come to Him today.
More:
No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is Himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us (John 1:18).
Next:
If you knew Michele, how would you respond to her comments? Have you allowed any “rituals and recitations” to get in the way of your relationship with God?
mysavinggrace on April 29, 2010 at 4:21 am
Indeed. Jesus is all I will ever need.
Melody S on April 29, 2010 at 6:40 am
When I find my mind starting to race way ahead or drift to the past I stop myself and say “come back to the present, the here and now and just enjoy the calming presence my Abba father has given me”. Such a loving God we have!
Soldier4Christ on April 29, 2010 at 11:14 am
That is a great point Melody, I have the same problem sometimes. My mind tries to think ahead when I know in my mind that I am not promised tomorrow , and I sometimes think back to the past which sometimes can be from Satan reminding me of past sins even thought I know they are under the blood. And I know that I can’t change what has already happened. Maybe that is how Satan tries to steal our joy by taking our mind off the present and the blessings that God is giving to us in the moment?
bethanyF on April 29, 2010 at 7:07 am
I also need to come back to the present.
jon_sumner on April 29, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I myself am coming upon a simular stubbling block. I am confused and mad at God for giving me free will. I WANT TO LOVE GOD BUT HOW CAN I IF I AM CURSED WITH THIS AWFUL THING CALLED FREE WILL. John 14:15 says ” “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” This is true, and I am an awful sinner, so as long as I have free will I cannot TRUELLY love God, so it seems to me the only way anyne of us can be free to trully love God is if God would take our free will from us. So I pray that God would take it from me.
It seems so easy for everyone but me to understand why freewill is ever a good thing, can anyone give me a better answer than than that pat answer “without freewill there is no true love”? Nonesense I say the only true love is agapy love (God’s love) which we humans are too selfish to have.
sheridan voysey on April 29, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Hi Jon. Thanks for sharing this with us. It really sounds like you’re wrestling hard with this.
We could get into all sorts of interesting discussions about free will and love (for me, your love for Jesus is shown in the depth of emotion you feel about sin. Let’s get this straight – you wouldn’t be concerned about this if you didn’t love Him). But I’m not sure those philosophical conversations will fully reach into the problem.
In the anonymity of the internet I’m wondering if you might share more specifically what it is you’re wrestling with. What do you keep doing that you wish you didn’t? That may lead to some more specific help.
God bless,
Sheridan
makks on April 29, 2010 at 4:49 pm
This couldnt have come at a better time. I have spent
the past few days brooding over the law of karma
what is the need for asking forgiveness when you are
going to eventually reap what you sow?why the need
to live right when some are already destined for
destruction(Romans 9).I desperately long for a
personal experience with God, I was taught and i believe that Jesus dies for my sin and that because of him,grace abounds so much so that I can approach God’s throne of grace and mercy,I believe that it is fair to do what is right at all times…but please God give me my own personal experience……I just dont want to believe these things because i was taught so,I want to believe because I know it…I dont want to sound blasphemous but i need the peace and joy of my salvation restored to me,now more than ever…pray along with me people please.
sheridan voysey on April 30, 2010 at 3:45 am
Hi Makks.
Wow – karma, predestination, personal-verses-inherited faith… Like Jon (above), you’ve got a lot on your mind. Do you have a pastor or close Christian mentor you can sit down with and unload? I think you would really benefit from a couple of long, deep conversations with a knowledgeable Christian leader. I’ll be praying for that for you.
And, yes, when I finish typing this, I will also pray for a deeper, inner sense of the Lord’s joy for you too. You’re right – our faith needs to be more than intellectual ascent. On the other hand, the emotional aspects of faith can fall prey to other things going on in our lives. Here’s a suggestion: section a large amount of time – a couple of hours – to slowly, prayerfully, peacefully, read through the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Imagine yourself as that son. How does the father (God) treat you after you return home? What emotions does He display at seeing you? Notice how He feels about being with you, even after all you’ve done? Thank God and prayerfully, silently, sit in His presence. Don’t rush this, just be with God unhurriedly. Then ask Him for someone to serve. God’s joy is often released in us when we serve others. Remember to serve selflessly though – not as a means to get ‘joy’. God will give that later.
Lord God, please give Makks your special Fatherly touch today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
PeacewithinMe on April 29, 2010 at 11:10 am
Amen… thank you so much.