“There is only one invitation it would kill me to refuse, yet I’m tempted to turn it down all the time. I get the invitation every morning when I wake up to actually live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy, a life where love does. It doesn’t come in an envelope. It’s ushered in by a sunrise, the sound of a bird, or the smell of coffee drifting lazily from the kitchen. It’s the invitation to actually live, to fully participate in this amazing life for one more day. Nobody turns down an invitation to the White House, but I’ve seen plenty of people turn down an invitation to fully live.
“Turning down this invitation comes in lots of flavors. It looks like numbing yourself or distracting yourself or seeing something really beautiful as just normal. It can also look like refusing to forgive or not being grateful or getting wrapped around the axle with fear or envy. I think every day God sends us an invitation to live and sometimes we get head-faked into thinking we haven’t really been invited. But you see, we have been invited- every day, all over again.” -Bob Goff (in his book Love Does)
This week at Debrief, we reflected on everything God’s been showing us on the field. We processed the change of lifestyle, feelings we haven’t dealt with yet, and the victories Jesus is letting us be a part of.
We also had the opportunity to sit down with leaders and talk about anything. They’re always available to us, but it’s nice to have time set aside during debrief.
In one of my one-on-ones, the idea of being invited came up. Philip was telling me that if the Kingdom was a dinner party, I was already invited. But I was still trying to bring my own chair.
I think it’s easy to see the beautiful guests, already seated, and think, Why would I be invited? It’s easy to see the time and effort that went into planning the party, the exorbiant food layed out, and think, Wow, this must be for someone special. It’s also easy to walk away when you think the party’s not for you.
But JESUS ALREADY INVITED US. He has lil name cards by our plates, sturdy chairs around the table, and the proper utensils waiting for us to use. If all we do is focus on the other guests, we could easily miss our spot.
The invitation is out there. All we have to do is accept.
The thing is, the Kingdom IS a party. It’s full of whimsy and laughter, boldness and dancing. It’s colorful and captivating! And the host has the biggest grin 🙂 But we have the option to decline.
God calls us out of the boring, and the regular motions, because Heaven isn’t typical (yet another thing I’m learning from Bob Goff..). The God who saved His kids from the furnace, literally split a sea for His people to walk through, created the universe, and so much more, can NOT be ordinary. He also created bumblebees and sharks, paints the sky with a new pallet of colors and patterns, and came up with the whole idea of physics (which is actually wild, and so so complicated). That’s how we know we’re invited. The world is already beautiful and unordinary. He made it for us. And every day, He invites us to come live in it again with Him. Come be colorful and exotic with Him. Forget your folding chair at home, and trade it for the throne.
But you have to choose.
Will you see the party and walk away? Or will you come take your seat?
Either way, you’re invited 🙂 And what a gift that is.
