A simple invitation. Our Jesus always invites us to come through that open door. He always asks, never demands or requires us to do so. He seemingly does not have a particular schedule or time frame or program to do so. Jesus built His kingdom around the invitation. It didn’t require a special place or a special time. He is simply strolling along the beach, or walking down a road, or sitting along side a well and He offers living water through an invitation rather than a kingly edict, a leadership expectation or out of any written tradition. He called the children, the tax collectors, the sick and the weary, and even the criminal hanging next Him on the cross, to Himself.

If there were one quality of being Christ like that I have tried to improve on over the years would be that of invitation. Many years ago when we helped start a new church; I was amazed at the people that would ask people to come to the church and the response was almost immediate that they would join us. Here I was a salesperson, spending time with many people every day, and it took five years before anyone I asked even came to the church on my invitation. I think over the years I learned a little more about inviting people as I observed how those successful inviters did their work. I was describing the church; it’s many ministries, the opportunities and my involvement in its activities. I was telling or selling the Good News instead of sharing the Good News. We need to be sure to share how Jesus called us personally and what it has meant to our lives.

Another avenue of invitation was revealed in inviting folks in to a church activity other than for a worship service. At the new church many people joined us in worship after attending a community safety class for at home youths, a Red Cross babysitting class, or in one of the youth musicals done each year. Inviting someone to your house for dinner or dessert to make an invitation can help to alleviate the fear of asking while on the job or in some other public area. It’s also a darn good way to get to know your neighbors or co-workers. Food is something we all have in common.

His love will never fail you!

Pray with me: