The Great Invitation

 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28-30

The Great Invitation. 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. You may have gotten an invitation to accept a new job offer, or to go to the wedding of a close friend or family member, and we say yes, sometimes no, or maybe. 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. In this case, it is Jesus Himself.

“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

 

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

Romans 8:31

Through scripture, Jesus himself is extending The Great 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. It is a sign of the great love He has especially for each of us. There is nothing you could ever do to earn God’s Love. When you seek God, you will find Him, and you will experience unconditional Love like you never thought possible.

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

1 John 4:19

 

Everything to Gain

Too often, people think you have to give up being who you are, or divert from all that you enjoy doing to follow Jesus. However, in reality, this opportunity, extended to all of humanity, helps us live our absolute best life, unburdened, 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 God helping to make it the very best it can be.

Jesus will rejuvenate your weary soul, and lighten your burdens, so you can live life to the fullest with Him by your side. By so doing, Jesus will help you every step of the way, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You have everything to gain when you follow Jesus. Here are some of the practical ways that Jesus helps us when we reconcile with God, and place our lives life in the palm of His loving hand:

7 Promises of God

I will be with you.

I will protect you.

I will be your strength.

I will answer you.

I will provide for you.

I will give you peace.

I will always love you.

 

Today, Jesus offers us a personal invitation to follow Him as we travel along 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!

“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

“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

God’s Love for each of us is perfect and unfailing; divinely-given—and for all of human kind—not just a few church-goers. When you accept Jesus’ Great Invitation, and invite Him into your life as your Lord and Savior, it is the beginning of a life-giving relationship with Jesus, the Only Son of God.  But the ball is in your court…You get to decide whether to follow Jesus, or turn away. You get to choose between trusting Him or relying on your own limited strength. For God will never force you to do anything. You get to choose!

Your Help in Times of Trouble

Choosing a relationship with Jesus will enable you to seek God (and find Him) through worship, praise, prayer & reading 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 through difficult times, and help you secure enduring peace with Him at your side, you are never alone. He will fight your battles with you and even for you for the asking.

Saying Yes to Jesus will enable you to ask for God’s help with confidence and anticipation, and trust that He will help you when you wait to see what He will do next in your life, and for those you pray for. We need to pray to God, expect miracles, and graciously receive the practical help he sends to those who love Him. 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)

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© Copyright 2022   |   Adele M. Gill

Bio

Adele M. Gill is a retired RN, Chaplain, freelance writer, award winning author of 6 books, founder and author of The Inspiration Café Blog https://theinspirationcafeblog.net/ and a recipient of the Positive Change Podcast Award.