Rhythms of Grace

“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 MESSAGE

I love the title of this song, “Rhythms of Grace,” and all the thoughts and ideas it stirs. Reading this passage from The Message version of the Bible draws out these ideas even more. How many times do I feel tired or worn out? I know I still need to learn to live more freely and lightly. This song help draw our hearts to know and trust God’s grace and learn to live in that light through compelling lyrical ideas and interesting rhythms.

Since I find the phrase “rhythms of grace” so interesting, the second verse really sticks out to me in the song. There are several key ideas that are worth thinking about in this verse. The first is being “caught in the rhythms of grace.” Rhythm implies that grace is a repeated pattern and ongoing or steady. It’s encouraging to see that there probably will be ups and downs, and not to think that something is wrong with me or that I’ve failed because I don’t experience of God’s grace as a steady climb.

Another key point about rhythm is that it is draws you to join and follow. Think of how you respond to the rhythms in music. How often does your body and mind flow with the rhythm of the music? How often do you see other people syncing with the rhythms of music in some way, especially if they are not trying too hard? What would life be like if we learned the “UNFORCED rhythms of grace” or realized we were actually “caught” in God’s grace? The more we understand and trust that His grace “overcomes all of our (sinful) ways” and is “realigning each step,” the more it seems God’s grace changes us.

So, I hope you enjoy listening to and singing this song, thinking about how amazing our God is and how amazing is His grace and love. My prayer is that as we sing this song in church we walk more in step with Jesus and learn to live freely by His grace.

As with all the songs in the New Song Blog you can listen to the song with the above player, follow the buy link to purchase an MP3 version of the song on Amazon, or view all the lyrics by clicking the link to WorshipTogether.