Rest Easy

In 1994 I was introduced to the "alternative-rock" of the band Audio Adrenaline.  A group of musicians that got together at Kentucky Christian University.  It was a life altering introduction for me, but that is not the story I'm here to tell today.

I had a copy of the cassette of their album "Don't Censor Me," (yes I said cassette,) and I played it constantly.  There was one song in particular that resonated with me.  It was not one of the loud, distorted, rock anthems.  It was one of the most mellow songs on the album, Rest Easy.

It was the first song I intentionally tried to remember the lyrics to.  I remember lying on the ramp of my brothers work trailer at lunch replaying the words over and over in my head.  The verses are from the perspective of a man who feels he has struggled his whole life. 

"One more mile 'til I lay rest
I have put myself through this rigid test
But the mile has never ended no distance has been gained
I do not see greatness I wanted to obtain

He is not complaining, but he's tired.  The choruses are from the view of God or Jesus.

"Rest easy
Have no fear
I love you perfectly
Love drives out fear
I'll take your burden
You take my grace
Rest easy
In my embrace"

This past week a friend posted this on facebook:

fear can't love

It immediately made me think of this song.  Especially, "love drives out fear."  I knew is was a scripture reference, but could not remember it so I looked it up.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

Read the whole chapter.  Better yet the whole letter.

Something struck me though.  Love drives out fear.  Fear has to do with punishment.  Love drives out punishment.  The previous verses echo John 15 where Jesus implores the disciples to remain in him. 

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.."

What?!  Did you see that?  If we live our lives in love we are living our lives in God.  Remain in him, and he will remain in us...and we will be like him.  Because of love!

It's easy to point and say, "You're doing it wrong.  You should do it this way or that way."  Especially as a "Christian."  We all have our opinions on how to do things and what is right and wrong.  It's easy to point out perceived flaws in others.  I know I have.

"I am such a sinner I fear my evil ways
I fear my imperfection I fear my final days
I just want to take control and snap this rusty chain
Drop my heavy burden it seems to be in vain"

The key words for me there are, fear and I.  I want to take control  I want to snap the chains of sin.  I fear...I fear...I fear...

But perfect love drives out fear.

 The song wraps up with the man realizing that he cannot do the things he longs to do because he is trying to carry the burden.  He is trying to carry a weight that has already been carried.

The burden of sin has been delivered!

We have no need to pick it up.  Ever!  Jesus already did it.  It is done.  Do you try to deliver a letter that has already been received?  So we don't need to with this.  We do not need to fear punishment when we accept and return God's love!

We might have other things to do that are heavy, but sin has been dealt with.  Period.  When things get heavy, we need lean on out love for God and each other.  When those times come, the body comes together and lifts as one.  Many hands make light work and all of that.  When we love each other, out of our love for God, we can rest easy.

Read over the chorus one more time, and really think of Jesus saying it to you...

Rest easy
Have no fear
I love you perfectly
And perfect love drives out fear
I'll take your burden
You take my grace
Rest easy
In my embrace...

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse