You’re Invited Part I
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
In this passage, verse 28 depicts the posture of Jesus. “Come to me and I will give you rest.” Even when you feel like you can’t get it right or when you’re frustrated with life, this is the heart of God toward you. His invitation still stands.
In this passage, Jesus’ invitation is for salvation. However, this invitation doesn’t go away once we are saved. His finished work on the cross frees us from the power of sin and death, but we can still find ourselves burdened. Difficulty is a part of life.
In Greek, the word labour means to grow weary, tired, exhausted, to feel fatigue, to work hard, to toil, to labor with wearisome effort.
Lately, I’ve been asking myself, “When I’m weary and burdened, do I accept the invitation to come to Jesus with my worries? Do I come to him in all situations, or do I distract myself with YouTube and Instagram? Do I immediately text someone? What do I turn to as my source of relief? Honestly, I’ve used many things to numb the pain and seek rest for my soul.
Ask yourself, when you feel inadequate, lonely, or you need encouragement, where do you go? When you’re empty, what fills you? Every time we try to meet a need or solve a problem outside of depending on God, we are declining his invitation. We may not say it with our mouths but in our hearts, we’re saying “No, thanks.”
We are always receiving invitations. Just as Jesus beckons us, the enemy does too, and so does the flesh (the unregenerate part of you). In those critical moments, we have to choose God. It’s easier to choose Him in a moment of weakness if you’re in the habit of relying on him and allowing him to always be your refuge. You’ll likely choose whoever and whatever you’re used to running to. Don’t wait until your back is against a wall.
Let’s agree to put away our idols, which are things we trust in instead of God; things that captivate our hearts in ways only God should. It could be a person, place, thing, desire, habit—anything. They become gods to us because we expect them to meet needs that only the true and living God can meet. Practice putting these things away, only using them within their proper context, if at all.
Genesis 35:2 (KJV)
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments…
