The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

The Hay Wain - John Constable 1821

“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 11:29-30 The Message

  The Summer break is over and a new season is upon us. The leaves on the trees are starting to tint shades of yellow, umber, red and gold before they begin their descent to the ground. The nights begin to draw in and feel a little chiller; the morning grass is wetter.  

SOURCE are preparing for a new season: in the wild flower garden, preparations need to be made. The students - both new to Colchester and returning for their final year - begin to return to the University, and a new season of COFFEE will soon begin in earnest. Some of us will also be going on retreat with St Stephens to All Hallows in Ditchingham next month. The winter, and Christmas, will be here all too quickly; the needs of the community - as it continues to change and grow - must be served. 

This season we will be considering, exploring and praying through our calling as a community and as individuals, and thinking about the gifts we have been given, perhaps not yet used to their fullest potential - likes bulbs hidden away in the winter ground, waiting for the warmer Spring air.  What work does Christ have for us on the road we travel? What direction is that road taking us? What talents, tools and gifts have we been given for the work ahead? 

There is much to do, and it might be easy - in the learning and growing, working and doing - to forget in whom we live and move and have our being and to fall on our own strength in the work: which is perhaps why the passage is Matthew is so central in our communities ethos. 

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.


If you would like to join us, for a short or long while, as we journey with Jesus serving The Hythe in Colchester, then get in touch, we would love for you to join us as we explore the rhythms of grace and life with Christ.