ROCK ‘n roll right off the treadmill


“Labor Day” was never intended to describe a faith journey but that’s exactly what it was for me when I did religion day in and day out.  It was exhausting.  It was an endless cycle of making a list, checking it twice, missing the mark, dealing with the onslaught of guilt and then promising to try harder next time.  Repeat.

This funny video depicts better than anything I could ever express in words what it felt like for me to practice religion for most of my life.  When this life brought me to the very end of myself, I discovered that it was O.K. to turn off my religious treadmill.  I no longer had to rely on my ability to perform.  For a very different reason, the guys in this clever video do not want to turn off their treadmills.  Enjoy the performance:




Jesus enraged the religious leaders of His day.  He confronted their hypocrisy and the fact that they would lose all of their power if they gave up their lengthy list of do’s and don’ts.  In essence, He told them they had it all wrong.

God is not about do’s and don’ts.  He gives love.  Religion gives law.  Religion offers a report card to measure performance.  GOD OFFERS A LIFE GIVING RELATIONSHIP THAT WILL NURTURE YOUR HEART FOREVER.  THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GIVES LOVE AND LIFE.  Just ask the adulterous woman who was thrown at the feet of Jesus as the crowd raged on about stoning her to death.  They demanded the law be administered.  Jesus chose not to cast the stone only He could throw.  Instead He looked into the eyes of this broken, publicly humiliated woman and SPOKE THE TRUTH IN LOVE.  Condemnation melted into conviction.  And so it can be with us.  His love can shape our behaviors and our hearts.

When we stop the frantic religious activity and gently pursue a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, duty will melt into devotion.  The chains of bondage and performance will fall off and true freedom and rest will be found.

“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”  Psalm 46:10

“COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED,
AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.”  Matthew 11:27-29

Have you turned off your treadmill of performance?  Or are you still breathlessly doing religious gymnastics on a treadmill set on full speed? Perhaps you’ve avoided the treadmill of religion entirely for fear you’d never keep pace with all the do’s and don’ts and all the rituals and rules.

Consider carving out a pocket of peace to meet with God.  Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.  That’s an invitation The ROCK Eternal just can’t resist.  May you encounter and experience Him in fresh new ways.

“YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME
WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.”  Jeremiah 29:13

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