Deuteronomy 1:2, 3  “Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir. But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the Lord had commanded him to say.”(NLT)

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A truth not considered nearly enough is this: Obeying God unburdens us. 

The vast majority of the problems we experience and the messes we make are due to choosing our way instead of God’s way. Adam and Eve discovered this. Everyone since then has discovered this. Far too few have discovered the remedy. 

Consider Moses’ words above. Disobedience, rebellion, and endless complaining turned an eleven-day journey into one lasting forty years. 

True progress begins and continues as we walk through this life with our Shepherd and Guide (Psalm 23; John 15).

True productivity occurs when we work from our rest (Genesis 1: Evening precedes morning; rest precedes work.) As someone has fitly spoken, “The grace of Eden was the pace of Eden.” Jesus said it this way:

“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

True living, the real good life, comes with a settled disposition of knowing and experiencing God day by day, moment by moment. Jesus said, 

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Abiding in Christ, living from this central focus, clarifies everything else, strengthens us for every activity, provides for us all the wisdom and strength we need. 

We are about as unburdened as we choose to be. We are about as blessed as we choose to be. We are about as free as we choose to be. 

Choose obedience and unburden your life. 

Choose obedience and remove unnecessary obstacles.

Choose obedience and accelerate progress. 

Choose obedience and experience the kind of love that rightly shapes every relationship. 

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I will unburden my life by choosing obedience to God’s good Way.

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Our Father, obedience unburdens us. Forgive us for not understanding this sooner and better. Forgive us for not employing this truth. Empower us to choose your way and your companionship, leadership, and provision. Show us your purpose, your pace, and your productivity. Lead us out of our own way. Amen.