WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:05.200 Good afternoon, everyone. I know it's that afternoon lull, isn't it? 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:10.439 As Dan mentioned, my name is Justin, and it's a pleasure to be here. 00:00:11.460 --> 00:00:15.060 Way back when I first moved to D.C., I was part of the Advent community for a few months, 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:20.580 would occasionally lead worship, but it was back when you were still meeting at the Baptist church, 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:22.480 the other Baptist church down the road. 00:00:23.300 --> 00:00:28.000 But it is a pleasure to be here. Tommy has been a great friend to mine over the years. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.420 And today I want to talk to you, in the time that I have available to me, 00:00:32.480 --> 00:00:35.399 I want to talk to you about the speed of flourishing. 00:00:36.219 --> 00:00:37.320 The speed of flourishing. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:41.320 But I want to begin by asking, you don't have to put your hand up or anything, 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:47.820 but I want to ask how many of you would say that your busyness seems to get in the way of your flourishing? 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:53.019 A few. A few that were willing to put their hands up. 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:56.719 How many of you would say that all the things you have to do, 00:00:56.719 --> 00:00:59.479 all the things that are weighing on your time and on your mind, 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:05.219 keep you from being and doing all that you think God has for you? 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:06.480 Yeah. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:09.280 Well, if you said yes, you're not alone. 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:13.060 Earlier this year at Christ City Church, where I am pastor, 00:01:13.319 --> 00:01:16.859 we meet just off of H Street in the Northeast Corridor. 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:21.140 And earlier this year we had a series called Everyday Battles, 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:24.539 where we talked about, well, our everyday battles. 00:01:24.540 --> 00:01:29.760 And one of the most commonly stated barriers to flourishing, to spiritual growth, 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:33.219 to spending time with God and with loved ones, was busyness. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:40.219 It seems there are just too many things in our schedules to allow us to have the kind of quality time 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:44.960 with God, with our family, with our friends that we'd like and we think we need. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:51.079 It's hard to make space for downtime or reflection or journaling or prayer, 00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:54.299 for spending time in Scripture or for being honest, 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:57.419 for any sort of purposeful engagement and meaningful activity. 00:01:58.539 --> 00:02:05.199 And what happens is we can end up feeling like we're constantly living in reaction to everything. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:07.319 We're bouncing from one thing to the next. 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:15.780 We're putting out fires everywhere and we never quite feel settled or stable or at peace. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:19.379 But an old professor of mine once said, 00:02:19.519 --> 00:02:24.979 we don't need more space in our schedules because space just leads to more activities. 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:28.939 Instead, we need a vision to compel us. 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:34.639 He said, we don't need more space in our schedules because space just leads to more activities. 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:37.259 Instead, we need a vision to compel us. 00:02:37.439 --> 00:02:38.959 Think about it in terms of technology. 00:02:39.139 --> 00:02:44.039 Once upon a time, and even today, we thought all of these time-saving devices were going to save us time. 00:02:44.579 --> 00:02:46.779 At least that's how they were sold to us, right? 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:51.339 This time-saving gadget or appliance is going to save you time 00:02:51.339 --> 00:02:54.939 so you can spend more time with your family or doing the things that you love. 00:02:56.199 --> 00:02:58.500 Now, don't get me wrong, I love technology. 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:03.479 But, at least in my life, the space I thought I might have ended up with 00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:05.859 turned out to be filled with more distractions. 00:03:06.019 --> 00:03:08.340 And now there's more of them and they're easier to access. 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:14.799 Now, on my good days, on the days when God gets a hold of me, 00:03:14.839 --> 00:03:20.560 I'm able to ask, is this what the kingdom on earth, the kingdom in my life, is supposed to look like? 00:03:21.339 --> 00:03:23.199 And on my good days, I'm able to answer yes. 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:29.019 On my good days, I'm able to say, yeah, I see God everywhere and in everything. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:35.820 But more often than I'd like, my busyness seems to distract me from the kingdom. 00:03:36.980 --> 00:03:39.879 Even when I think my busyness is working for the kingdom. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:40.800 So, I'm a pastor. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:46.000 I'm busy most of the time with pastory things, churchy things. 00:03:46.140 --> 00:03:51.760 You know, God things, kingdom things, meeting needs and caring for people and speaking out against injustice. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:58.679 But I realized early on that if I'm doing things for God, but not with God, I might be missing the point. 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:03.519 This is what Dutch priest and author Henry Nouwen says. 00:04:03.579 --> 00:04:06.399 He says, in general, we are very busy people. 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:13.240 There's seldom a period in which we do not know what to do and we move through life in such a distracted way 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:22.899 that we do not even take the time and rest to wonder if any of the things we think, say, or do are worth thinking, saying, or doing. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:28.780 So, let me begin by asking you, what are you busy with? 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:31.220 What are you busy with? 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:33.680 What are the things that are filling your time? 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:39.220 What does your use of time say about what you prioritize and care about? 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:44.060 What does your use of time say about your reality right now? 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:45.480 Not everything is bad. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:48.680 Not everything can be or has to be removed from your life. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:53.639 I just want you to be aware of what is taking up your time. 00:04:56.300 --> 00:05:00.019 You see, having said all of that, I don't think busyness itself is the problem. 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:03.839 Busyness, you see, is an outward condition. 00:05:04.919 --> 00:05:06.839 I think the problem goes deeper than that. 00:05:06.919 --> 00:05:08.620 I think the problem is hurry. 00:05:09.659 --> 00:05:11.979 Hurry is an inner condition. 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:14.120 It's a condition of the soul. 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:19.060 Dallas Willard said, Jesus was always busy, but he was never in a hurry. 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:23.540 Jesus was always busy, but he was never in a hurry. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:26.079 He always had things to do, right? 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:32.840 People to heal, demons to cast out, messages to preach, kingdom to inaugurate, injustice to challenge. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:38.939 Jesus had stuff to do, important stuff, life-changing stuff, soul-saving, world-changing stuff. 00:05:39.060 --> 00:05:41.920 But he was never in a hurry. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:46.300 He never had an anxious condition of the soul. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:50.780 This is how Pastor John Ortberg differentiates between the two. 00:05:50.900 --> 00:05:54.699 Being busy means having a full schedule with many activities. 00:05:55.480 --> 00:06:00.560 Being hurried means being preoccupied with an inability to be fully present. 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:03.699 Being busy is physically demanding. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:06.879 And it reminds us that we need God. 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:14.220 Being hurried is spiritually draining and causes us to be unavailable to God. 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:19.100 See, Jesus shows us you can be busy without being in a hurry. 00:06:20.200 --> 00:06:26.220 So just because you're going from meeting to meeting or from class to class or job to job or kids event to kids event 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:29.320 does not mean you have to have an anxious spirit. 00:06:30.860 --> 00:06:32.120 Because here's the other thing. 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:36.440 You can also have nothing on your schedule and still have a hurried soul. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:45.060 Anybody ever been on vacation and you can't stop yourself thinking about all the things you need to do when you get back 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.139 or all the things that you're missing out on 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:50.720 or whether the person you left in charge at work is going to screw it up while you're away. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:57.259 Hurry often precludes us from rest. 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:59.800 Not just bodily rest. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:03.800 Although, you know, sometimes our hurried spirits and our hurried minds can keep us up 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:06.420 and prevent us from getting bodily rest. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:08.860 Not just emotional rest. 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:13.659 Although, when our hurried selves don't ever think that we're safe enough to let our guard down, 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:15.759 we can lose that emotional rest. 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:27.620 But rest in our souls where we know, where we think and feel and believe and trust and act 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:31.060 as if we're in a world made by the creator of the heavens and the earth. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:35.339 As if we're indwelled by the spirit of that same creator. 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:41.839 As if we're rescued and redeemed and loved and valued and protected and sustained 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:46.919 and held up and covered up and lifted up by that same father, son, and spirit. 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:53.719 Hurry, the anxious condition of the soul, can keep us from that kind of rest. 00:07:55.599 --> 00:07:59.019 You know, psychologists have coined the term hurry sickness. 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:00.599 Hurry sickness. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.099 This is how it's defined. 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:05.959 A behavior pattern characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness, 00:08:06.539 --> 00:08:08.899 an overwhelming and continual sense of urgency. 00:08:10.479 --> 00:08:11.739 Here's another definition. 00:08:12.239 --> 00:08:15.079 A malaise in which a person feels chronically short of time 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:17.500 and so tends to perform every task faster 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:20.739 and to get flustered when encountering any kind of delay. 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:22.060 Anybody? 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.419 Here, maybe this will help. 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:27.060 Some symptoms of hurry sickness. 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:30.879 When you're in the grocery store moving from one checkout line to another 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:32.539 because it looks shorter or faster. 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:36.839 Two, when you're driving and you're counting the cars in front of you 00:08:36.839 --> 00:08:40.000 and either getting in the lane that has the fewest or is going the fastest. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:45.279 Three, multitasking to the point of forgetting one of the tasks. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:49.139 That's the spirit speaking conviction to you right now. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:52.559 See, I just thought this was normal, 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:55.299 but apparently it's a psychological condition. 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:57.819 We can start a support group. 00:08:58.079 --> 00:08:59.199 We'll call it church. 00:09:02.599 --> 00:09:04.819 But let's dig a little more first. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.179 Hurry, at its root, 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:10.959 is a subconscious trust and overconfidence in ourselves. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:12.639 If you think about it. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:16.639 It's a subconscious belief or a belief which we can infer from our actions 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:18.120 that it's all on us. 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:19.579 It's all on me. 00:09:19.580 --> 00:09:25.900 And as such, hurry should be an indicator light that something isn't right in our soul. 00:09:27.560 --> 00:09:29.379 And here's why hurry is so insidious. 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:32.080 It's because, as I said, we think it's normal. 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:33.300 We think it's okay. 00:09:33.560 --> 00:09:35.120 We think it's just part of life. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:38.720 When what it does, according to Eugene Peterson, 00:09:38.920 --> 00:09:41.700 hurry diminishes our capacity to love. 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:46.240 Love, you see, takes two things. 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.920 Time and attention. 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:51.060 And what do people in a hurry not have a lot of? 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:53.860 Time and attention. 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:55.780 Let's draw this out. 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:57.720 What did Jesus say were the greatest commandments? 00:09:57.840 --> 00:09:58.520 We heard it earlier. 00:09:58.660 --> 00:10:01.280 Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength, 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:03.340 and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:10:03.420 --> 00:10:04.540 What's the common verb? 00:10:05.660 --> 00:10:06.060 Love. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:09.080 What does love involve? 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:09.200 Love. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.780 Time and attention. 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:15.420 What do people in a hurry not have? 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.639 Time and attention. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:22.020 Ergo, hurry, this anxious spiritual condition, 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:24.240 this sickness of the soul, 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:26.440 this frantic inner frenzy, 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:29.100 it destroys our souls. 00:10:29.680 --> 00:10:31.660 It diminishes our capacity to love. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:33.400 It distracts us from the important things, 00:10:33.520 --> 00:10:35.840 and it hampers our growth and our maturation in faith. 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:39.020 There's a reason why hurry doesn't sit well 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:39.939 with us. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:44.039 There's a reason why our souls don't feel comfortable with hurry. 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:46.299 It's because we weren't meant to live hurried lives. 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:51.360 And yet hurry is one of the characteristics of our city. 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:55.100 Hurry is one of the idols of our culture. 00:10:56.199 --> 00:10:57.519 An over-self-confidence. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:01.419 An inability to let God be God. 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:06.319 So, now what? 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:07.299 What do we do with that? 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.579 Well, I want to try something that I want to encourage you 00:11:10.579 --> 00:11:12.659 to take with you into the week. 00:11:12.959 --> 00:11:14.159 Just a little practice. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:17.120 It's called imaginative prayer. 00:11:18.219 --> 00:11:19.039 Imaginative prayer. 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.979 Our imagination, you see, 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:22.539 it isn't just about make-believe. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:24.679 Our imagination is how we make sense of the world. 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:28.099 When you think about what you're going to do for dinner, 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:29.539 that's your imagination. 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:33.459 When you think about a romantic partner or a dear friend, 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:34.899 and you wonder what they're doing, 00:11:34.979 --> 00:11:36.199 that's your imagination. 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:39.019 When you process events and experiences, 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:39.899 that's your imagination. 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:42.899 When you deal with doubt and fear and anxiety, 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:44.439 that's your imagination at work. 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:46.680 And when we pray, 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:51.820 when we imagine that God is in the room with us, 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:54.660 listening to us, 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:56.780 speaking to us, 00:11:57.780 --> 00:11:59.100 that's our imagination 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:02.160 lining up with true reality. 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:06.300 Our imaginations are how we make sense of the world. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.500 They're given to us by God, 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.720 so why not use them 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:13.280 instead of making ourselves more anxious 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:16.319 why not use them to tune into 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:19.019 what we believe is actual reality? 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:21.879 So if you're up for it, 00:12:21.959 --> 00:12:22.899 this is what we're going to do. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:25.279 I want to invite you to sit up and sit comfortably. 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.419 I want to invite you. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:36.220 You can close your eyes if you'd like to, 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:38.059 or you can just focus them loosely 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:39.220 on a spot in front of you. 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:45.959 And we'll begin by taking a deep breath in 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:49.319 and hold it for a moment 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:51.879 and let it out. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:56.779 And again, a deep breath in. 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.579 Hold it for a moment 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:02.199 and let it out. 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:07.540 And I want you, as you're able, 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:09.500 to place one hand in the center of your chest, 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:13.660 the symbolic core of our being. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.540 It's the part that we cover up 00:13:15.540 --> 00:13:16.660 when we hear bad news. 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:19.120 The heart center. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.520 And I want you to let the things 00:13:23.520 --> 00:13:25.220 that are on your heart and on your mind 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.840 rise to the surface. 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:30.340 It may be busyness. 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:31.379 It may be all of the things 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:33.040 that were running through your head 00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:34.840 as you were coming in this evening. 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:37.879 It may be all the things 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.460 that you know you need to do when you leave. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.019 It may be hurry. 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:46.280 You might not be able to name it or label it, 00:13:46.280 --> 00:13:48.540 but just a feeling of tightness. 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:53.580 Feeling of convolutedness in your head. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:58.180 It might be something completely unrelated. 00:13:58.940 --> 00:14:00.139 Just whatever God is bringing 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:01.160 to the surface right now. 00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:05.259 Now, I want you to imagine 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.420 Jesus is in the room 00:14:06.420 --> 00:14:07.920 because He is. 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:11.500 But He's sitting right in front of you 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:13.000 and He's facing you. 00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:16.600 And He's looking you in the eyes. 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.620 His eyes of love. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:21.180 His eyes of understanding. 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:22.480 There's no judgment there. 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:26.460 His eyes of love. 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:30.860 And I want you to place, 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:31.540 as you're able, 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.600 to place your other hand 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.800 on top of your first hand. 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.379 And I want you to imagine 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:41.300 that Jesus placing His hand on yours 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:44.960 as He looks you in the eye. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.879 And He says, 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:48.720 Come to Me, 00:14:49.900 --> 00:14:52.340 all who labor and are heavy laden. 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:55.040 And I will give you rest. 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.740 Take my yoke upon you 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.000 and learn from me. 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.300 For I am gentle 00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:04.120 and lowly in heart. 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:06.620 And you will find rest 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.639 for your souls. 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:11.160 For my yoke is easy 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:13.039 and my burden 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.459 is light. 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.219 And I want you to come back 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:28.939 to this space 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:30.319 and open your eyes. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:37.080 those are the words of Jesus. 00:15:38.540 --> 00:15:40.160 Speaking the promises of Jesus. 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:42.100 Extending the invitation of life 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.879 with Jesus. 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:46.060 The one with whom 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:47.040 we were meant to live. 00:15:47.140 --> 00:15:48.100 The one from whom 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.540 we were meant to learn. 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:52.040 This is Jesus' answer to hurry. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.900 The anxious soul. 00:15:54.140 --> 00:15:54.780 And frankly, 00:15:54.920 --> 00:15:56.320 to any system or structure, 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.480 religious or otherwise, 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.100 that tells us 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.200 we have to perform 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.399 in order to have value. 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.800 In order to have worth. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.720 In order to be loved. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.820 Jesus says, 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:05.920 Come and learn 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:07.539 the unforced rhythms of grace 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.680 from Me. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.500 Take My yoke upon you. 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:13.680 Learn to live freely and lightly. 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:16.000 Find rest for your souls. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:19.179 But I don't want us 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.000 to miss this. 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.059 That Jesus says, 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.220 Take My yoke upon you. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.740 He's using a metaphor 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.299 that would have been 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.740 very familiar to His listeners 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:29.600 of a farming tool 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.820 in which two oxen 00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:32.379 would be paired together 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.240 to do work. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.200 To plow a field, 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.759 for example. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.820 But it wasn't usually 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:40.480 two oxen of the same size. 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.340 Instead, 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:42.940 it was usually 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.279 one big oxen 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.799 and one tiny little one. 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:47.679 One strong developed one 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:50.019 and one young growing learning one. 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.459 One of the two 00:16:51.459 --> 00:16:52.599 would carry the load. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.379 Do the work. 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:56.879 While the other was learning 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.799 and being carried along. 00:17:00.479 --> 00:17:01.939 Are you seeing 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:03.639 the image Jesus 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:06.279 is describing? 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:09.740 Are you understanding 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.619 the invitation 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:12.399 Jesus is offering? 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.799 The easy life, 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.680 the easy yoke, 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.160 which is life in the kingdom, 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.619 which is learning to live 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.339 as Jesus would 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.180 if He were in our place. 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.639 All of that is possible. 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.240 It is possible. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.819 But it is only possible 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.680 because of the deep 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.500 relational connection 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.279 between the Father 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.160 and the Son. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:31.079 And it's only possible 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.740 for us 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.819 if we likewise 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.759 pursue a deep 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.619 relational connection 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.179 with God. 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.739 In Matthew 11, 27, 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.659 right before the verses 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:39.259 I just read, 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:39.859 Jesus said, 00:17:40.179 --> 00:17:40.719 all things 00:17:40.719 --> 00:17:42.199 have been handed over 00:17:42.199 --> 00:17:43.199 to me by my Father 00:17:43.199 --> 00:17:43.959 and no one knows 00:17:43.959 --> 00:17:44.379 the Son 00:17:44.379 --> 00:17:45.239 except the Father. 00:17:45.959 --> 00:17:46.539 No one knows 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:46.939 the Father 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.739 except the Son 00:17:47.739 --> 00:17:48.899 and anyone 00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:49.819 to whom the Son 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:51.099 chooses to reveal Him. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.359 This is the secret 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:54.119 that isn't really 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:54.579 a secret 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.799 of Jesus' peace 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.419 and His grace 00:17:56.419 --> 00:17:57.199 and holiness 00:17:57.199 --> 00:17:57.879 and patience, 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.359 His anger 00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:58.899 and injustice, 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.439 His willingness 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:00.159 to speak up 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:00.899 at certain moments, 00:18:00.979 --> 00:18:01.419 His love 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:02.339 for His enemies, 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.000 His practice 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.740 of nonviolence. 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.740 It all came out 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.359 of a deep 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.839 relational connection 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.619 with God, 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:10.240 with His Father, 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.420 the one whose love. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.859 Jesus was grounded 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.519 and rooted 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.960 in every moment, 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.819 in every moment, 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.559 in a reality 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.200 in which God 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.880 was present 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.759 and at work. 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.019 Therefore, 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.220 He had no need 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.700 to hurry. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.980 Let me say that again. 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.980 Jesus was grounded 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.559 and rooted 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.920 in every moment 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.700 in a reality 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.559 in which God 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.279 was present 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.599 and at work. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.419 Therefore, 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.339 He had no need 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.759 to hurry. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.059 The speed 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:39.799 of flourishing 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:43.119 is slow. 00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:46.440 So, 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:48.319 slow down. 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.679 Not necessarily 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.599 on the outside, 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.559 but most definitely 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.399 on the inside. 00:18:56.139 --> 00:18:56.720 And so, 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.599 I want to invite you 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.179 this week 00:18:58.179 --> 00:18:59.559 to practice 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.839 that prayer exercise 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.439 we tried 00:19:01.439 --> 00:19:02.139 a moment ago. 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.779 In the times 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.279 and places 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.859 where hurry 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:05.879 seems to have you 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.819 in its grasp, 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.299 stop. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:09.980 Pause. 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:12.179 Remember that Jesus 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:13.659 is in the room 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.159 with you. 00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:17.799 Remember that the Spirit 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.359 lives within you. 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:21.059 Take a deep breath. 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.500 Breathe in the Spirit. 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:24.419 The word in both 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:25.379 Hebrew and Greek, 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.519 the word for Spirit 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.000 is the same 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.799 as the word for breath. 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:31.700 Ruach, 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:32.559 pneuma. 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.399 Take a deep breath. 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.299 Remember that God 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.279 is closer to us 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.700 than the air 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.339 that we breathe. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.399 And remember, 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.139 because of Jesus, 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.059 because He lived 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.419 and died 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:45.099 and rose again, 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.440 your soul is safe 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:46.859 in the hands 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.519 of a loving God. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.680 Remember that no matter 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.980 how busy you are, 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.039 the peace that comes 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.180 from being found 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:53.659 in Christ 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:54.460 is yours. 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:57.539 Remember that you 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.600 don't have to do 00:19:58.600 --> 00:19:59.079 anything 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:00.039 to prove 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.840 anything 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.539 to God. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.539 You are loved. 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.559 You are accepted. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.340 You are enough. 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:13.700 And there's a prayer 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.900 written by Ted Loader. 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:16.860 I want to close with this. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.700 So would you join me 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.039 in praying? 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:26.019 Now, O Lord, 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.779 calm me 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.420 into a quietness 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.539 that heals 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.619 and listens, 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.559 that molds 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.440 my longings 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.159 and passions, 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.539 my wounds 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.579 and wonderings 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.000 into a more holy 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:41.099 and human shape. 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.480 Now, O Lord, 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.559 calm us 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:46.740 into a quietness 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.140 that heals 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:49.640 and listens 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:51.940 and molds 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.799 our longings 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.519 and passions, 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.000 our wounds 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.980 and wonderings 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.779 into a more holy 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:59.519 and human shape. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.859 In the name of the Father 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.980 and the Son 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:04.200 and the Holy Spirit. 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.200 Amen.