A New Lifestyle of Grace

by Cathee Poulsen

A few years back I created a folder in my documents titled A New Lifestyle of Grace. I dumped all kind of things in there. Mostly pertaining to how to live life without stress, prayer instructions, devotional thoughts and such.

But on the cusp of 2018, after listening to Michael Hyatt’s usual goal-setting talks for the new year, I’ve made a decision to do things differently. Yesterday when I mentioned setting goals to Texas, we got into a discussion in which she said, “I’ve lived my life for too many years under pressure. I don’t want to set goals. I want to just do what the Holy Spirit directs me to do each day.”

Not Drivenness or Drifting but Design

Not a new thought, that’s for sure. But this time is struck a nerve deep within. I’ve been driven for so long. But I don’t want to live a driven life. I want to life a life by design. I agree with Michael that neither drifting nor drivenness are helpful. But design is what I’m after. I am tired of writing endless ToDo Lists and then procrastinating on completing what’s most important on the list. At the end of the day when I review, I’ve always completed all the nagging little tasks but the important and not urgent ones are left behind in a cloud of dust.

It is my conviction that we are to move in the River of God – not drifting, but not paddling upstream with a fury that wears us out. We move with Him. He carries us like a river carries whatever is floating on it.. It’s effortless and peaceful. Making a list is okay as long as it doesn’t drive me. It’s more a list of Reminders than ToDos. He gives strength, motivation, and joy in the journey. It’s how I picture Jesus as he walked the streets of Nazareth or Jerusalem. Never in a hurry, stopping to speak with those who asked for something, eating in the homes of people he was building relationship with, heading up to the mountains to pray through the night. We never see him anxious, hurried, overly busy, or stressed.

That’s why I believe he said to us, “Come here to Me, all you people who are worn out and working at life so hard. Come and follow what I’m doing and I’ll make sure you find real rest. Deep rest. I’ll never lay a heavy burden on your back or put an impossible yoke on your shoulders. Watch and learn from me. This is what living in rest looks like. Easy and light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The Message translation of this passage says “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” And that’s what I’m after.

This isn’t to say I won’t have anxious moments in a day. But I won’t live an anxious life. I’ll live in this moment, with grace for today. Tomorrow’s a different story, another supply. There’s only enough manna for today so don’t try to borrow from tomorrow’s stockpile. It doesn’t work that way.

Sacred Space

These last few days of 2017 represent the “time between times” for me. It’s liminal space – a threshold of sorts. A thin place. For years now it’s a time where I withdraw from the commotion and parties of the Christmas season and spend some time in quiet reflection. I want to hear from the One who directs my life. To give him time to show me the path of life for this new year.

While most of the world is looking back on 2017, maybe God is inviting us to not only reflect on these past 12 months, but to make some changes that will change everything. As you stand between the already and the not yet, what do you see? Write some things down and ask if there are things he’s calling you to in the coming year.

They can be things as simple as “Drink more water,” “Wear clothes that make you happy,” “Build new relationships that nurture.”

Everything in Scripture points to our living in the present moment as people who have entered his rest. When we live with peace standing guard over our hearts, we display an unforced rhythm of grace to those who watch us. That’s the life I want to live in 2018. How about you?