I thought the ‘the stretch’ was a seasonal thing, much like the discomfort you feel when you walk around in a new pair of shoes. I thought God would only stretch me a few times over the course of my life, but I was wrong. Welcome to the stretch life. If you’re reading this and feeling it, don’t worry, you are in good company.
At times the stretch life can feel extra tight, slightly restrictive, and weighty. It’s in those moments that I refer to a conversation I had with Joel, back to when I had just started travelling with United. He pulled me aside and shared Matthew 11:28-30, which changed my whole perspective on how to do this God-life. We had been discussing the weight of what we do as a creative team; not just in the seen but in all areas – whether we choose to hold what we do with reverend hands or not.
Leading people to Jesus is an immense responsibility and it’s all that we do. There is weight that comes when being entrusted with the platform, but Joel reminded me of Jesus’ words, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). In the fullness of life, this has been truth that I’ve come to realign myself with again and again. In the Message translation, Eugene Peterson describes it like this:
“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 always let out a sigh of relief when I read that first part. We are called to walk and work with Him. The very definition of “yoke” is:
(noun): a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart they are to pull;
(verb): to cause (two people or things) to be joined in a close relationship… TO BE CONT.