“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 {The Message}

In February I took on a personal challenge to pray daily for an entire month for my younger brother, Fletcher. February turned to March and I kept praying. Then I prayed through the spring and summer. It’s October and I’m still praying. My constant prayer is that Fletcher would lay his life before the Lord and be saved by grace.

About three weeks ago Fletcher called me. Said he need to talk to me about some trouble he was facing, some hardships that happened. About half way through our conversation, Fletcher said “Sis, I’ve realized I can’t do this on my own. I need Christ.” I asked him what that meant. He said he was ready to lay his life before God; to surrender his life in return for a relationship with God. I wept. Literally. I stood in my kitchen and cried sweet, sweet tears.

Let me bold. Let me tell you, Christ died for your sins. He died to put you in right standing with God. He died because He loves you.

Christ wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to have a relationship with me. He loves us. He wants to “recover your life”. He wants to give us “real rest.” Recovery from our sins, from our hurts, from our pain. Rest in Him. Rest in the grace He gives, the mercy He brings, the love He covers with.

 

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