Who invited YOU?

A real conversation always contains an invitation. You are inviting another person to reveal himself or herself to you, to tell you who they are or what they want. –David Whyte


A lot of churches wonder what they’re doing wrong. They tell the world everyone is welcome, and maybe even fly a rainbow flag out front. They have a dynamic preacher; their music, whether traditional, praise or both, is terrific. But for whatever reason, people just aren’t showing up.

Where are all those spiritual people we hear about, anyway? Why aren’t they interested in us?

Wrong question, really. There has to be more to church and following the Christ than any of these things. Music changes, pastors move on or retire—but the core message of the gospel remains unchanging, and that’s what churches need to offer, today more than ever. That message is Love. And that message is for all.

There are two phrases that occur frequently in the New Testament: Don’t be afraid and Come.

Angels remind us there is nothing to fear; God is, at his very nature, Love. And in case we have any doubt whether that includes everyone, even poor, pitiful me, Jesus comes walking along the beach and into our lives, extends his hand to each one of us and says, simply, Come. Come and see what life is really all about. Join me on this adventure and be part of God’s creation and plan. It won’t be easy—and you won’t be alone. Don’t be afraid.

Jesus invited you. The guest list is long. Who will you invite? Don’t be afraid to reach out. You never, ever know whose life will be changed forever by a single word. Come.

Monday It’s finally feeling like spring! Look around you for signs of the season, and thank God for his faithfulness in every season. Ezekiel 36:25-27

Tuesday God’s creation is continually changing, becoming new or renewing. Resolve to try something new today: maybe a new food or a new exercise. Reflect. James 1:17-18

Wednesday This season also brings fresh smells all its own. Step outside, close your eyes and breathe in the fragrances that surround you. What did you smell? Psalm 51:10-12

Thursday Is there a garden in your neighborhood? A window box or potted herbs? Pause and look closely at what is happening in these places where food, shelter and so much more are produced-- for all God’s creatures. Give thanks for this miraculous process. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Friday Summer is coming, a time for weddings. Is there someone you know who is preparing to join his or her life with another? Why not send a note or make a phone call offering your love? Genesis 2:20-24

Saturday As you turn your prayers to yourself today, simply rest in the knowledge that life goes forward, sometimes with pain or difficulty. Through it all, God is faithful to you. Joshua 1:5

Sunday Another day to gather in fellowship and praise God for the gift of renewed life! Greet someone this morning whom you may not know well. Matthew 25:34-36


We simply can’t predict who will or won’t be interested in the Gospel, and building a friendship is not a prerequisite to inviting people to learn [more] about the Good News. –Clayton Christensen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stepping back. . . .

Image
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and with a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever,  even if your whole world seems upset.  –St. Francis de Sales This week, I invite you to simply sit in a quiet space with words of hope and promise, and to remember, as Julian of Norwich knew, that all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well . It has been a long, difficult season. Advent and the coming of the Christ is just around the corner. Peace and comfort to your spirit. Monday   “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Matthew 11:28-30 Tuesday  “Is this not the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6-9 Wednesday  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the
Read more

It's that time again. . . .

When the seasons shift, even the subtle beginning, the scent of a promised changed, I feel something stir inside me. Hopefulness? Gratitude? Openness?  Whatever it is,  it’s welcome. –Kristin Armstrong No matter what part of the world you call home, this time of year brings big changes. While my friends Down Under are watching sings of new growth emerge from the earth as temperatures rise, here in Ohio, the leaves are turning from green to gold and orange, red and brown. The winds have taken on a chill; clouds hang heavy, like soggy cotton, reminding us that soon and very soon, we are going to see the snow . Always different, yet somehow, the same. We depend on God’s eternal ways, and trust that again this year, winter will follow autumn, just like it should. So why is it, as we anticipate and appreciate changes like these, when it comes to so many things in life we pull up short, wrinkle our noses and say No! No change! I like things just the way they are! It’s t
Read more

Starting again

“This, then, is how you should pray:" --Matthew 6:9a I have been really sensing lately that there is another blog inside me, one focused on prayer.  Oh, I know-- those elephants are all about prayer. Heck, they  are  prayer. And I will continue there, as well. But what I've been feeling is that people-- maybe you--  have always been told, "You should pray," or "Pray about that." But maybe you feel your prayers aren't "good enough," or that it's just too hard, too embarrassing, too [fill in the blank] to pray. Maybe it feels like no one really talks about how  to pray-- except, of course, for Jesus, in Matthew 6 and a couple parallel passages where we are given what's come to be known as The Lord's Prayer. And it is a great prayer. And there are other great prayers, and other ways to pray that do not involve rote. So "my plan" here is to share, hopefully on a weekly or semi-regular basis, a lot of
Read more