2026 Reading Plan Reflections - Day 15

Matthew 11 is honest and grounding. Even John the Baptist—the forerunner, the voice crying out in the wilderness—had moments of doubt. And Jesus doesn’t shame him for it. He points John back to what is already happening: the blind see, the lame walk, the poor hear good news. Prophecy fulfilled. God at work, right in front of them.

Then the tone sharpens. Jesus speaks to those who have seen God’s power and yet refuse to be changed by it. They witnessed miracles, received gifts, experienced grace—and still chose “business as usual.” That warning lands close to home. Many of us can name moments when God clearly showed up. The question is whether those moments reshaped how we live, or whether urgency faded once life felt normal again.

That’s why the chapter ends the way it does. Jesus doesn’t demand more effort—he offers rest. Not escape. Not apathy. Rest that comes from staying close.

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”

That’s the invitation. Be present. Stop striving. Quit resisting grace. Walk with Jesus and let your life take its cues from Him. His yoke fits. His way leads to freedom. Promise.

Pause and be present. Take five quiet minutes with no agenda. Sit with God. Just be.
Name the gift. Write down one clear way God has shown up in your life. Thank Him for it.
Release the strain. Ask honestly: Where am I striving instead of trusting? Let it go.
Practice rest. Do one thing today slowly and prayerfully, as an act of trust, not productivity.