The Hustle. It’s a world of crazy schedules, constant pressure to measure up, and that nagging feeling that we’ve got it all wrong. Somedays we wish we could press “Pause” to catch our breath.
“Pause” to say that quick prayer before falling asleep, exhausted.
“Pause” to look out the window at… well, nothing.
“Pause” for a few moments of silence.
And if we are lucky, the little pauses can sustain us in the hustle longer than we thought possible.
…But what happens when they don’t?
Where will we turn when our pauses no longer cut it? Because no amount of deep breaths can calm our heart the way God can. Our pauses are a substitute for the real sustainer: The holiness of God.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30
What’s this about a yoke? Fried eggs and Jesus don’t seem like a solution. You’re right- that doesn’t make any sense, though I would love to brunch with Jesus.
A “yoke” is a device that animals wear around their necks to pull a wagon or piece of equipment for farming. It transfers the weight of the work to be done- plowing a field or transporting people from one place to another- to the shoulders of the animal wearing the yoke. We each have a spiritual yoke we carry, a responsibility to follow God well. It can get messy and heavy when we choose hustle over holiness. How many of us feel like we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders? It wasn’t meant to be that way!
Here is the good news of that verse: Jesus offers to take our yoke, which means he carries the weight of our load and makes it easier than when we carry it alone. We begin to feel a lightness again; a release from the expectations of the world. Giving Jesus our yoke means changing our day-to-day commitments and priorities. When you are given an opportunity to commit to “just one more thing,” ask God if you should!
Refusing to hustle allows space for God’s holiness.
If you are like me, you want 2018 to be a fresh start. And sometimes, just sometimes, we crave a marker moment to say, “Today, I’m exchanging my ‘hustle’ for God’s ‘holy.’ ”
I want to give you that marker moment.
February 17th-19th in Huntsville, TX, there will be a sacred place for you to lay it all down and begin to live again. Not to live for the hustle or the accolades, but to live for the peace that is felt when you let God lead. Surrounded by plush forests, a beautiful lake, space to rest and nap, or simply go on a quiet walk all by yourself- you are in charge of your experience. You will be given hours of freedom each day to hang with friends, read in a hammock by the lake, or hear from God about big decisions in your life.
It’s The Calling, and it’s calling your name.
And worship? I can’t begin to tell you what God has planned. With our rescheduled retreat date, our amazing worship leader Christina Smith had to step down because of family commitments. We earnestly prayed about who would take her place, and God has created a partnership with another anointed and gifted worship leader!
I’d love to introduce you to Madison Fish, the woman who will create an atmosphere that is READY for you to stop the hustle and embrace the holy.
Madison is a worship leader with a burning passion to see a generation encounter the love and presence of Jesus. She has had the privilege of leading worship around the world, inviting people into a deeper intimacy with God. Besides leading worship, Madison is the associate director of a non-profit missions organization, “Count Me In Global,” which reaches out to over 200,000 young people annually in three different nations.
Are you ready for your marker moment? Are you ready to take your faith to the next level? Join us.
This sounds amazing!! I hope I can go!
Can’t wait!!!
It’s going to be so fun!
We would love for you to join! Campfires, canoeing, worship. 200 women at a grown-up summer camp? YES, please!
Can’t wait for you to come Nashville. Would love for you, Paula and I to go have dinner one night.