A gentle invitation

In my lifetime I’ve reached soaring heights and crushing lows. I’ve swum the bluest oceans under the clearest skies. I’ve savoured conversations, food, moments. I’ve loved and lost. I’ve been hurt by friends and hurt in return. I’m unavoidably flawed; born broken and wired for sin despite efforts to convince myself otherwise. But… I am none other than a child of God, delighted in – and scandalously entitled to all the spiritual wealth possible due to simple belief in a God who changes things and people.

Even my ability to believe comes from him. I am unutterably needy. Hands outstretched, arms wide open. The gospel is simple. Come to God as you are. Exactly as you are, where you are, no matter how far you’ve wandered and how many meals you’ve eaten with other gods. Our father asks us simply to come, taste his food, dine with him, and know the difference – feel it in our bones.

His is a gentle invitation, unforced, kind… Knowing our hearts, he beckons, whispers… but doesn’t always chase. He waits but is completely satisfied in himself. He waits for us to partake of him, knowing that all hunger to worship something. Partner. Travel. Family. Some will long for him deep down, slowly shifting in his direction but not knowing it. Others will fall before him , face down, desperate, desolate, sure of nothing else but their need for his filling. All long to worship something. All will.

But he forgives.

May my eternal dining companion be always and only him. Lover of my soul. My heart’s deepest desire. My everything, unashamedly so. He, from whom all else flows. He, the first to meet me in my broken places, biggest successes, nobility and shame.

He sees my trophies and celebrates them – but I know the source, deep down.

He is worthy of all my worship, my love, my very life. This life I cling to yet must choose to release. He orders my days according to his perfect will, plan, purpose… I’m an important part of his jigsaw puzzle, indispensable yet with an aching, childlike awareness that he has the final word. Just as he did on the day of my creation. And yours. He weaves our lives into a tapestry with results yet to be revealed in their fullness. We trust the weaver’s gentle hand simply because we know he’s completely, utterly trustworthy…

Revelation 19:6-10:

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him.”