An Unexpected, Life-Changing Invite
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Christ can do for you what no one else can. He has power that no one else possesses. He is able and willing to meet you in your moments of need, even when that need is self-inflicted.
He will never mock you in your weakness. He will not stand idly by and sarcastically say, “I told you so.” He finds no joy in your suffering. He is full of compassion. He abounds in mercy. He will never walk away disgusted. He will never use your weakness against you.
He has no favorites and shows no partiality. He never grows tired. He never becomes impatient. He will never quit because he’s had enough. He will never refuse to give you what he’s promised because you’ve messed up so badly. He is just as faithful to all of his promises on your very worst day as he is on your very best day.
He doesn’t ask you to earn his compassion or to do things to gain his mercy. He knows how weak and fickle your heart is, yet he continues to move toward you with unrelenting and empowering grace. He delights in meeting your needs. He finds joy in bringing peace to your heart.
He really is everything that you need, so why would you run anywhere else in your time of weakness or trouble?
His provision and care are sure, but will you choose to run to him in your time of need or look elsewhere for hope and comfort?
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:1-2)
***
An invitation:
unexpected,
unearned,
beautiful,
life changing.
A royal invitation,
not to rulers,
not to the rich,
the successful,
the powerful,
the strong,
the deserving.
An invitation
no one can
earn,
no one can
demand,
no one has a
right to accept.
An invitation,
unexpected,
unearned,
beautiful,
life changing.
Made to the
weak,
the weary,
the burdened,
the discouraged,
the defeated,
the ones who,
desperately need
rest.
A royal invitation
from the King of kings,
to anyone who would
humbly
confess their need and
come.
An invitation:
unexpected,
unearned,
beautiful,
life changing.
The invitation is
not to an event
not to a special
place,
to all the right
people.
A royal invitation
to enter into the one
thing
everyone needs,
those who know they are
weary
and those who
don’t.
An invitation:
unexpected,
unearned,
beautiful,
life changing.
The eternally
planned,
lovingly offered,
divine invitation of
saving grace.
Bidding
the lost,
the lonely,
the burdened,
the weak,
the sinner,
the hopeless,
the hopeful,
the seekers
to come
receive the eternal
rescue
that God, through his
Son,
willingly gives.
An invitation:
unexpected,
unearned,
beautiful,
life changing.
A Prayer for Today: Lord, thank you that you don’t ask me to earn your compassion or do things to gain your mercy. You give and you give freely to me time and again. You embrace me in my weakness and run to me when I am in need. I am grateful for your beautiful, life-changing invitation to come and be satisfied by you, even though I could never do anything to earn it. Thank you for willingly giving your son so that I could be set free from all that weighs me down. In his beautiful name I pray, amen.
Conversation Prompts for Children
1. What do you think God feels for you when you aren’t doing well (angry, sad, frustrated, etc.)?
2. What stops you from going to God when you aren’t doing well?
3. What is compassion? Why do you think God has compassion for you?
Reflection Questions
1. Why do you think it’s so easy for us as human beings to try and earn God’s mercy and compassion? Why is it so important to understand the character of God when it comes to his desire to give, love, and care for his children?
2. Even though we mess up all the time and are incredibly needy, how does God view you if you are in Christ? Why is that perspective necessary when it comes to your own sin and the sin you see in the world around you?
3. Where do you typically run when you find yourself in a position of weakness or trouble? What needs to shift in your heart in order for you to run to God instead of your other vices?
4. Take some time right now to think and pray about running to God in your troubles instead of other places. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and help as you pursue running to him.