Take A Jesus Break - by Brent Lokker

Back in the day when I was a kid, there was a popular phrase used by doctors: “Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.” It was told to patients who complained of a minor malady by telephone (notice I didn’t say cell phone since those weren’t close to invented yet!). Minor ailments often disappeared overnight and more serious ailments were tended to by the doctor the following day. But this phrase also started to be used as a joking way of telling someone not to bother you with trivial matters.   For what has been ailing us in this world, especially over the past few years, two aspirin certainly won’t do it. Only Jesus will. Though fear would try to convince us otherwise, we don’t have control over other people or world events that might disturb us. What we do have is the choice to trust Jesus over and over again with our hearts—to show us things we could not see apart from him. And not just what needs to be healed or taken out of our way of thinking, but also what’s good and true about who he says we are. This is the beauty of the transforming nature of Christ within us! And the exposure of our false self that allows our true self in Christ to emerge is what actually changes the world around us, one heart at a time, as we allow the light within us to touch others with our Father’s love and hope.   So, when we are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged or disappointed or a hundred other emotions that can bring us down. We need to turn to Jesus. We need a Jesus break! How often? Well, “as a way of life” is where Jesus is taking us! And, by the way, Jesus doesn’t see anything trivial about your life or what concerns you. On the contrary, he wants to be invited into every aspect of your life, even what others might think is trivial. He’s right here within you. How about a Jesus break right now?   “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 (MSG)    “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.” John 14:18-20 (MSG)    LOVE,  Brent