Embracing the Unforced Rhythms of Grace

by Erin Sanchez

“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 was at a silent retreat with a dozen other adults when this verse was read aloud. The room went silent. Whether from discomfort or relief, I watched as a mix of emotions played across the faces of the participants.

“What does it mean to live in ‘unforced rhythms of grace’?”

I stared out the window at the trees and snow, feeling the tension in my body rise. You likely know the feeling: the longing for rest while the urgency of the culture plays Battleship in your body. Only one wins; which will sink the other? We all recognize the need and desire for resting fully in the Lord, but if I’m honest, I’ve asked this question often: what does that really mean?

If you’re anything like me, you have many things calling for your attention each day: school, work, homework, projects, relationships, friendships, significant others, marriages, trips, health, hurt, pain, brokenness, celebrations, holidays, groceries, to-do lists, unanswered prayers, on and on it goes.

In our fast-paced, ever-demanding world, the idea of being truly satisfied can seem elusive. We’re surrounded by messages urging us to seek fulfillment in achievements, material possessions, or personal experiences. Whether through career success, social connections, or the latest gadget, we’re often led to believe that satisfaction is just one step further–if we could only get there. Yet, as you’ve likely experienced (me too!), reaching that thing often falls short, leaving us with the longing as well as the disappointment.

Psalm 23 offers a perspective that defies this endless pursuit. In the opening verse, David declares, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” At its heart, this phrase encapsulates a profound truth: the satisfaction our souls crave isn’t found in what we acquire, but in whom we trust. It’s about finding rest, peace, and contentment in God Himself, who knows our needs even better than we do.

What Does it Mean for the Lord to Be Our Shepherd?

To appreciate the depth of this verse, it helps to consider what it meant for David to call the Lord his shepherd. In ancient Israel, a shepherd wasn’t simply a caretaker–he was a protector, a provider, and a guide who invested deeply in the well-being of his sheep. David, who was a shepherd himself before becoming king, knew firsthand the devotion it took to care for a flock. Sheep depend entirely on their shepherd for survival; they trust him to lead them to green pastures, keep them safe from harm, and provide for their every need. By calling God his shepherd, David is essentially placing himself in a position of complete reliance and trust in God’s provision and care.

But what’s striking is David’s bold declaration: “I shall not want.” This phrase isn’t simply a statement of God’s promise to provide; it’s an expression of deep contentment. David is saying that because the Lord is his shepherd, he lacks nothing essential. His needs, both seen and unseen, are fully met in God.

Challenging Our Understanding of Satisfaction

This idea can challenge our perspective. So often, we associate satisfaction with having everything we desire–success, comfort, security, and recognition. But David’s words in Psalm 23 suggest a different kind of satisfaction, one that’s rooted not in what we have but in the One who provides. By recognizing God as our shepherd, we’re invited to shift our focus from what we want to who God is and how He provides for us.

True satisfaction, according to Psalm 23, isn’t the absence of need or struggle. David himself faced adversity, loss, and hardship, yet he declared, “I shall not want.” His satisfaction was rooted in his relationship with God, not in his circumstances. For David, God’s presence and provision brought a deep-seated peace that no external situation could shake.

Satisfaction is Found in a Relationship, Not in Results

What would it look like if we, too, saw our satisfaction in God rather than in our circumstances? When we allow the Lord to be our shepherd, we enter a relationship where our deepest needs are met, where our identity and security are found in Him. It’s a life where we can let go of striving and rest in His sufficiency, trusting that He is enough. We have to know His nature, character, and voice to learn to trust His “enough-ness.”

It’s not that our earthly needs and desires are wrong. But when we place our hope in things or outcomes to fulfill us, we risk missing out on the peace and contentment that God alone provides. We miss out on the depth of intimacy that happens in places of dependence on God. To be satisfied in Him, we have to trust Him; to trust Him, we have to know Him.

Embracing the Sufficiency of God Today

As we start this journey toward finding satisfaction in the Lord, Psalm 23 reminds us that the source of true fulfillment lies in a relationship, not in a result. We are invited to trust God as our Shepherd, resting in His perfect provision and care. Rather than looking to the world to satisfy our every desire, we can place our confidence in Him, knowing that He sees our needs and provides what’s best for us.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what areas of life am I searching for satisfaction outside of my relationship with God?
2. How would my perspective shift if I truly believed that God is enough to meet my deepest needs?
3. What steps can I take today to rest in the sufficiency of God’s presence and provision?