Living 4 Him

“Come to me, all  you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

The way we think is highly dependent upon the way we perceive information.  Like the day I strolled about my first grade classroom as we participated in our very first science experiment.  I noticed the letters S  E  X  written darkly at the top of a child’s page.  I quickly asked, “What is this for?”  “Oh, that stands for science experiment” the child replied. Quite relieved, I perceived the letters in a new way.

God’s Word holds vital meaning for us, but how this meaning is perceived determines how widely the scriptures can influence our lives. 

Several years ago, I began viewing God’s Word as more than strict commands or gentle suggestions, but as genuine invitations to a better life.  An invitation beckons or calls, desiring someone to experience important occasions.  God’s word invites us to His best occasions.

“God is an inviting God.  He invited Mary to birth His son, the disciples to fish for men, the adulteress woman to start over, and Thomas to touch his wounds.  God is the King who prepares the palace, sets the table, and invites His subjects to come in. God is a God who invites.  God is a God who calls.”  Max Lucado

As a new year begins, we are invited daily to walk with God, learning from Him and following a road designed exclusively for us.  Over this first month, let’s study some of the invitations offered through his son, Jesus.

Come is a word used frequently throughout the Gospels.  When Jesus called the disciples to join him, he said,“Come, follow me.” (Matthew 4:19)

While Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:26),  he called Peter to come with him.

The coziest come arrived as Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 11, extending an invitation to those who are tired out and burdened to come and rest in him.  (Matthew 11:28)

The Old Testament invites us to come as well.  In Isaiah 55  God says, “All you who are thirsty, come to me and drink.  All you who have no money, come and buy wine and milk without cost. Come to me and listen, listen to me so you may live.” (Isaiah 55: 1, 3 NCV)

I have lived with enough dogs to know that come is one of the first words to teach them.  We use come when we want our dogs to draw closer to us, to be kept safe, and to give them our love and attention. 

God longs for us to be near him, too. 

He wants to walk with us.

He wants to be safe and protected in this world. 

He wants to give us lavish love and attention. 

His call is come.

And he invites us to come over and over and over each day.

His invitation is one we cannot turn down. We face knowns and unknowns throughout our lives. We need his presence. We need his safety and protection.  We need his love.  Turn your hearts toward God’s open arms every day in this new year and let God bless you with all he has to give.

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Focus on the scriptures referenced above and imagine what God’s invitations look like. 

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  At the beginning of each day, in the middle of daily business and at the weary end of another day lived, answer God’s invitation to come to him.