"You're Invited"

For a long time I looked all around me and saw so many people doing great things. I watched God use people to do incredible things, things I wanted to do. Thinks I thought that I couldn't do, so I didn't try.

This summer I really wanted to be in a place where God could actually use me. I wanted to go on a mission trip or I wanted to work at a camp all summer. If I was in Africa God could use me to love on the kids and spread so much joy. If I could be a camp counselor I would be able to share the gospel with kids and pour into them and show them so many truths. But my parents really wanted me to be home this summer to take a few classes and I knew God wanted me home so I didn't fight it. Eventually I would love to go on mission trips or work at a summer camp when it is God’s timing. ***I didn't want to go home though because if I was home in Houston taking classes at a local community college how could God use me? How could I learn things about him and engage in him all summer?!***

I made myself believe that I had to be a “special” person or be in a specific place in order for him to use me and really make a change in myself and others. At the beginning of summer a specific verse really stuck out to me and it has been the “theme” of my summer:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20)

This verse gave me a lot of hope and I prayed over it that God could reveal himself to me this summer and to others even though I wasn't too happy to be home. WELL I WAS DEFINITELY SURPRISED!

I have learned more this summer than I could have ever imagined. I have seen God move so many people around me! I have come to know him more. I am starting to understand (or try to lol) just how much he loves me. This verse means so much to me and God has taught me it’s not about who you are, where you are in your walk of faith, or where you get to spend your summer.

***The next step: JUST SAY YES! I am reading this awesome and encouraging book called “Love Does” by Bob Goff (quick easy read you should get it) and he talks about stopping where you are in your life no matter who you are and “Just say yes” to God.

I think we can all agree that one of the best feelings is being included. Getting invited to something. The bible is full of stories sharing how Jesus invited people. He invited people to accept him, to walk with him, to try things, to be a friend, to be present in their lives. The coolest part is the type of people he invites.

EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rich, poor, healthy, sick, religious, not religious, even people who would never show up. (For me if I reach out to a friend and they never respond eventually I give up and move on. Its so crazy that he never gives up and continues loves us the same waiting for us to respond.)

When we accept his invitation he wants us to participate. “We simply need to show up.” Jesus wants us to come. This summer I didn't need to be a certain type of person or in a certain place. I finally let God use me and he did.

“When we accept life’s invitation, it’s contagious too. Other people will watch us and start seeing life as something more. When you show up to the big life, people (the type who don’t think they’re invited) start seeing invitations everywhere. They don’t think about their pain or their weakness any longer.”

            “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 34:7)

He is sending us an invitation. In a sunrise, in a beautiful song, in the smell of coffee, or in the sound of rain. It could be for him to use you to love on a friend. It could be to help out a family member who needs support. It could be to share light to a random stranger. It could be to get to know YOU more. He whispers to each of us…                      “You’re invited.”