The Great Invitation

 

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“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

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Every day we receive invitations of all kinds. Invitations to go to a friend’s home, invitations to baseball games, to do volunteer work, to a birthday party. Some have gotten an invitation to accept a new job offer, or to go to the wedding of a close friend or family member. Sometimes we say yes, sometimes no, and sometimes, maybe. But who doesn’t like to receive an invitation even if we decline? Getting an invitation often means that someone cares about you and desires to spend time with you. It is an affirmation that they care about you. But the truth is that not all invitations are equal. Oftentimes it depends on who is doing the inviting…

 

“They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings;

They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

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“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

In the case of Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus is inviting us to lay down our cares, our burdens and come to Him for rest: “Come unto me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

In this passage, Jesus himself is extending an invitation to all of humanity, one that is very different than any other. His offer is far reaching, life-changing in all the best ways, and is a sign of the great love He has especially for you. And His love is unchanging and eternal. There is nothing you could ever do to earn God’s unfailing love. But when you seek Him and find Him, you will experience love like you never thought possible.

“We love because He [God] first loved us.”

1 John 4:19

Some people [wrongly] think you have to give up being who you are, or divert from all that you love to do to seek to follow God. However, this opportunity, open to all of humanity, each of us individually, helps us live our absolute best life, as we bask in the unmatched love God has for each of us. It’s not about giving up the life you live, it is more about enhancing it—as He rejuvenate your weary soul, and lightens your burdens, so you can live life to the fullest with Jesus by your side. By so doing, Jesus will help you every step of the way, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Here are some of the practical ways that scripture tells us God is with when we place our lives life in the palm of His loving hand:

7 Promises of God:

1. I will be with you.
2. I will protect you.
3. I will be your strength.
4. I will answer you.
5. I will provide for you.
6. I will give you peace.
7. I will always love you.

We will go more in depth on the 7 Promises of God in coming months.

 

There are so many tremendous blessings that come with saying “Yes” to God’s offer to follow Him that it is hard to comprehend. Here, Jesus is inviting us personally to join Him, and trust in Him, as we embark on this journey we call life. In that way, we will never have to ‘go it alone’ again. He will be our strength in weakness—and that is just the beginning!

 

“Then all who trust in you will be glad and forever shout for joy.

You will protect them and those will rejoice in You who love your name.”  Psalm 5:12

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“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, a refuge on the day of distress,

taking care of those who look to him for protection…”

Old Testament Book of Nahum 1:7-8

Your response to Jesus’ invitation is a very personal choice. People respond to His call with anything from “No thanks,” “Not now,” to accepting God’s offer, and calling by saying, “Here I am Lord!” or even, “Speak Lord, I’m listening!” But how can God possibly communicate with us here on earth? Well, there are many ways He tries to reach us. Of course through prayer, scripture, blessings of wisdom, knowledge, and conscience. He also tries to reach us via situations and circumstances that humble us and challenge us and help us grow.‘ gut feelings,’ thoughts and dreams and nature.

 

For prayer, no eloquent speech is needed, just sincere, heartfelt prayer. They can even be momentary and spontaneous as you go about your day. Here are some examples of some 2 second prayers:

2-Second Prayers

1. Dear God, please bless it or block it…”
2. “Heaven help me!”
3. “Lord have mercy!”
4. “Jesus I trust in You.”
5. “Godspeed be with you!”
6. “Be with me Lord!”
7. “Lord, please go before me and pave the way.”

For more 2-Second Prayers, and 20-Second Prayers, visit www.theinspirationcafeblog.net/prayers

 

God’s love for each of us is divine-given—and it is for all of human kind. When you accept Jesus’ Great Invitation, and in turn, invite Him into your life as your Lord and Savior, it is the beginning of a life-giving relationship with our Savior, the Only Son of God. And God’s biblical promises become your reality. But the ball is in your court…You get to decide whether to follow Jesus, or walk away. You can decide to trust Him, or rely on your own limited strength. For God will never force you to do anything. It’s all about choice. However, if you figuratively take His hand, you will not be disappointed!

Entering or building a relationship with Jesus will enable you to seek God (and find Him) through worship, praise, prayer & scripture. It will make you want to follow Jesus, and do God’s will for His glory, rather than your own. That relationship will help you take solace in difficult times, help you secure enduring peace in the realization that you are never alone, and become more able to fight fear like the enemy it is, with Jesus’ help. It will enable you to ask God for God’s help with confidence and anticipation, and trust that Jesus will help you; to grow in excitement as you pray and wait to see what He will do next in your life, and for those you pray for. We need to pray to God and expect miracles, and graciously receive practical, intercessory help from our Living God, for the asking, and give credit where it is due. For scripture tells us:

 

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me—oracle of the Lord—and I will change your lot…”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NABRE)

 

© Copyright 2022   |   Adele M. Gill

 

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~ Author Bio ~

Adele M. Gill is a wife, mother, retired RN; blogger and podcast host for The Inspiration Café Blog & Podcast: https://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net. She is a certified Chaplain, the author of 6 books, and a recipient of the 2021 Firebird Book Awards for her Christian self-help book, ‘How to Go from Broken to Blest.’  This life-changing book was written for anyone who is struggling in any way, especially with addiction, depression, anxiety, or life in general.