ROCK STEADY!

These thoughts were penned on this winter evening in 09.

ROCK STEADY!
Lawrence Murray Ph.D.

It was the whispers who invigorated dancing energy when they came out with their rendition of rock steady; it was a tempo of a song that made one bounce and at the same time reflect on days gone by. Who could forget the tantalizing lyrics:

I looked at you; you stole my heart you were all that I anticipated
I wanted you -- Every part but I knew that love would be complicated
I began to touch -- But you wouldn’t let it; it never seemed to be the right time ---I started to give up -- down to the limit
And then you changed your mind
Chorus
And we begin to rock steady
Steady rocking all night long
And we begin to rock steady
Rocking till the break of dawn…(Whispers)

I think you get the picture. I’m not advocating one to loosely engage in the rocking that can be categorized along with sensuality and debauchery. Nor am I parading secular songs as to disrespect sacred scripture. Conversely, I believe that teaching moments are subtle and simple and sometimes can come even from a group like the Whispers. We all know what the song group was alluding to, and what the pop artist was longing for.

However, I do see the same longing that Jesus has for us when he says, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28). It seems as if he essentially says Rock Steady with me. Jesus was right on the brink of his public ministry; earlier he appreciated and lauded John the Baptist for his ministry of preparation. Then we see Him upbraiding unrepentant cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum; telling them than Tyre and Sidon would have repented a long time ago. These people in these cities just refused to accept the Messiah. They wanted to Rock steady by the beat of their own drum. So we get a chance to hear Jesus talking real talk! He seems to get a strong sense that the people are tired of rocking in the easy chair of Chorazin’s traditions; or basking in the bakery of Bethsaida’s dead fish religion, and consistently being Crushed by Capernaum’s conceit. So after reminding them of their tight religious dogmatic approach to God, Jesus reveals the Father in a fresh and at that time, new and living way.

So Jesus says, “Come unto ME- The only way you’re going to be steady in life, is if you go to the Rock of ages. Jesus said, “Come!” Stop hanging around in shallow biblical study; refuse to place your theological foundation in a father in the gospel theology. Respect the father’s who taught us, Yes! In many cases brought us! However, more respect to the Father of lights as the Holy Spirit enlightens our minds through study.

So come, even when its uncomfortable; come, even when the temptation to go along with hometown theology is upon you; come, when the dead hands brotherhood acceptance threatens to squelch your voice; come closer to Jesus even when other saints don’t want to grow. These people were labored down by crusty cold religious ritual; these people were laden with the heavy burdens of the religious tasks-masters.

Through it all, Jesus offers a unique relationship in which you can rock with him. Taking His yoke is hooking up with him; and his movement becomes your movement. Learning His ways as you rock steady with Him. As you rock with Him, you’ll notice that He rocks with a sense of meekness and lowliness of heart. Even your soul finds a rest unknown to man
I’m afraid that if you just rock steady like the whispers, sensually. You will never experience the exhilaration from rocking with the Lord, spiritually. Jesus promises that yoking with Him is easy and burden free.

Dr. LMurray’s Mind-