What Is Jesus Inviting You To?

 By: Lauren Thomas 

I have a question for you: What is Jesus inviting you to? 

 

The Bible is replete with instances of God giving invitations to His people, of Jesus giving invitations to His followers. He invites us to forgiveness, to obedience and holiness. He invites us to rest. He invites us to spiritual sustenance and satisfaction. He invites us to a great wedding feast in Heaven. He even invites us to meet our physical needs! There are so many invitations. What is He inviting you to?

This question was recently posed to me. I can’t tell you how much peace washed over me when I heard it. I hope the same is true for you. This question is one of contemplation. It is a question to bring before the Lord in prayer. If you don’t sense an invitation immediately, then wait expectantly for it. He has an invitation specifically for you. I truly believe He is always extending some kind of invitation to us through Scripture and the Holy Spirit. 

 

Here are some passages in which we see His invitations given in Scripture:

 

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

 

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
² Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare

Isaiah 55:1-2 ESV

 

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31 ESV

 

One thing I love about the Lord’s invitations is the way they shift my focus to what matters. When I tune into what He is inviting me to, it often involves a refocusing or a shifting of my current priorities. Suddenly, what I thought was so important fades into the background and something more wonderful takes the foreground. Usually that something is Jesus himself. Often an invitation from the Lord involves less striving, more Jesus. Less work, more trust. Less exhaustion, more rest. And always, there is something specific, intentional, and purposeful in His invitations.

Reflection:

What is God inviting you to?

What is your favorite invitation in Scripture? Share it with us!