Unforced Rhythms of Grace | When Religion Burns Us Out
Key Thought | Religion exhausts us, but Jesus restores us. Real rest begins when we stop performing for God and start walking with Him.
Key Scripture | “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life… Learn the unforced rhythms of grace… Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” —Matthew 11:28–30 MSG
I spoke about this passage last weekend, and as I’ve been preparing for this coming week, it continues to stir in my heart. There is so much depth in these three verses, and it may be good for us to revisit them several times as we walk through this series together.
Jesus begins with a piercing question: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?”
Hear me: religion always burns us out. It becomes a taskmaster and completely misrepresents the heart of God. Many of us were shaped early in life to picture God as angry, distant, or ready to punish us the moment we fall short.
But when we pull back the veil of Scripture, we discover something very different: A God who is loving, merciful, patient, and relational. A God who desires connection, not performance.
Some people struggle with this idea because they fear it sounds like a “soft gospel.” But it’s not. The only way we produce fruit that truly lasts is by being in love with Him and knowing Him intimately. Anything good that is not born out of genuine relationship eventually fades.
So if you’re burned out today, it isn’t God’s fault. He hasn’t led you into exhaustion. He hasn’t misled you. Burnout often reveals that we’ve been carrying something He never asked us to carry.
Then Jesus says, “Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.”
There’s a lyric we sing at church: “When I thought You lost me, You knew where to find me.” Every time I’ve read this passage lately, my spirit returns to that line. It’s so true; so often we get lost while trying to find ourselves. We get turned around, overwhelmed, or tangled in our own efforts.
The reason is simple: we didn’t create ourselves. Only Jesus can reset what’s misaligned within us.
Going to Him is like rebooting our entire system. The harder we dig on our own, the more lost we often become. The more we try to fix everything ourselves, the tighter the knots become. But Jesus’ invitation has always been life—not just eternal life, but life now, in the present, in the moments we’re actually living.
Much of what feels urgent today can wait until tomorrow. For now, take a moment. Breathe. Invite Him in. You will find He is right there, and He has been waiting for your invitation.
Prayer | Jesus, reveal where I’ve been living out of performance instead of relationship. Show me the places where religion has drained me instead of drawing me to You. Help me accept Your invitation to rest, to recover my life, and to learn Your unforced rhythms of grace. Reset my heart today. Amen.
Reflection
Key Scripture | “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life… Learn the unforced rhythms of grace… Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” —Matthew 11:28–30 MSG
I spoke about this passage last weekend, and as I’ve been preparing for this coming week, it continues to stir in my heart. There is so much depth in these three verses, and it may be good for us to revisit them several times as we walk through this series together.
Jesus begins with a piercing question: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?”
Hear me: religion always burns us out. It becomes a taskmaster and completely misrepresents the heart of God. Many of us were shaped early in life to picture God as angry, distant, or ready to punish us the moment we fall short.
But when we pull back the veil of Scripture, we discover something very different: A God who is loving, merciful, patient, and relational. A God who desires connection, not performance.
Some people struggle with this idea because they fear it sounds like a “soft gospel.” But it’s not. The only way we produce fruit that truly lasts is by being in love with Him and knowing Him intimately. Anything good that is not born out of genuine relationship eventually fades.
So if you’re burned out today, it isn’t God’s fault. He hasn’t led you into exhaustion. He hasn’t misled you. Burnout often reveals that we’ve been carrying something He never asked us to carry.
Then Jesus says, “Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.”
There’s a lyric we sing at church: “When I thought You lost me, You knew where to find me.” Every time I’ve read this passage lately, my spirit returns to that line. It’s so true; so often we get lost while trying to find ourselves. We get turned around, overwhelmed, or tangled in our own efforts.
The reason is simple: we didn’t create ourselves. Only Jesus can reset what’s misaligned within us.
Going to Him is like rebooting our entire system. The harder we dig on our own, the more lost we often become. The more we try to fix everything ourselves, the tighter the knots become. But Jesus’ invitation has always been life—not just eternal life, but life now, in the present, in the moments we’re actually living.
Much of what feels urgent today can wait until tomorrow. For now, take a moment. Breathe. Invite Him in. You will find He is right there, and He has been waiting for your invitation.
Prayer | Jesus, reveal where I’ve been living out of performance instead of relationship. Show me the places where religion has drained me instead of drawing me to You. Help me accept Your invitation to rest, to recover my life, and to learn Your unforced rhythms of grace. Reset my heart today. Amen.
Reflection
- Where have you felt tired, worn out, or spiritually burned out lately?
- What might it look like for you to “get away with Jesus” in a practical, daily way?
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