We can be quick to miss invitations to "immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20)
In my freshman year of college, my friends and I packed a car to go to a concert. As we approached a crosswalk with music blasting, we saw a guy we recognized from the third floor, Dan. We rolled down the window and yelled, "hey man, you wanna go to a concert?"
Of course, a large part of us asking was to be nice, but realistically we knew he wouldn't join; after all, he was coming straight from class, barely knew us, and had no clue where we were actually going.
You can imagine our surprise when he didn't hesitate as he said "yes" and squeezed into the packed car. We were shocked and immediately loved the guy. A few miles down the road he casually said, "So... what concert are we going to?"
What Dan did was rare. Most people would have several questions before entering the car:
Dan asked none of these valid questions; his response to the invitation was not based on the details, but the opportunity, even with its unknowns!
This is not how we often respond to God. While we would like to be open to His invitations, we need some assurances first:
We are like the men in Luke 9:59-62 who were open to going with Jesus, but with caveats. Just as we didn't have time to linger in the middle of the road, Jesus made it clear that following him needed to start then, not at some better time; if we're honest, there's always a hypothetical "better time."
When God invites us, our invitation is to be like Dan and jump in, which 9 times out of 10 can seem like the most foolish choice.
Let's be clear: there are ample reasons to waver. The excuses the men in Luke 9 gave were valid. Isaiah, too, demonstrated legitimate cause for concern:
In the presence of the Lord and his seraphim, Isaiah knew that he and his people were unworthy. Unworthiness is a justifiable reason to reject an invitation; fortunately, God knows how to restore:
Now atoned, no time is wasted for the invitation and response:
Isaiah is barely restored and has no clue where he's being sent or why. In fact, all he knows is who is sending him... and that is enough. He does not hesitate, and shouts, "Here am I. Send me!"
God is inviting you to seek and serve Him today; we choose how we respond. Will we expect Him to explain the details before we commit, or trust His Godness and Goodness enough to accept blindly, believing He knows our selves and our purpose better than we ever could?
Accepting like Dan and Isaiah is difficult and risky; the good news is, when we inevitably miss it God's invitations come more than once!
In my freshman year of college, my friends and I packed a car to go to a concert. As we approached a crosswalk with music blasting, we saw a guy we recognized from the third floor, Dan. We rolled down the window and yelled, "hey man, you wanna go to a concert?"
Of course, a large part of us asking was to be nice, but realistically we knew he wouldn't join; after all, he was coming straight from class, barely knew us, and had no clue where we were actually going.
You can imagine our surprise when he didn't hesitate as he said "yes" and squeezed into the packed car. We were shocked and immediately loved the guy. A few miles down the road he casually said, "So... what concert are we going to?"
What Dan did was rare. Most people would have several questions before entering the car:
- What is the concert? Is it music I'll like?
- How much does it cost?
- How can I be sure these guys aren't pranking me?
- Do I have time to put my books in my room?
- How far are we going? When will we be back?
Dan asked none of these valid questions; his response to the invitation was not based on the details, but the opportunity, even with its unknowns!
This is not how we often respond to God. While we would like to be open to His invitations, we need some assurances first:
- What is the calling? Is it service I'll like?
- How much will it cost me?
- How can I be sure this will be good for me?
- Do I have time to get my life settled first?
- How far will this take me from what I know? How long?
We are like the men in Luke 9:59-62 who were open to going with Jesus, but with caveats. Just as we didn't have time to linger in the middle of the road, Jesus made it clear that following him needed to start then, not at some better time; if we're honest, there's always a hypothetical "better time."
When God invites us, our invitation is to be like Dan and jump in, which 9 times out of 10 can seem like the most foolish choice.
Let's be clear: there are ample reasons to waver. The excuses the men in Luke 9 gave were valid. Isaiah, too, demonstrated legitimate cause for concern:
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Isaiah 6:1-5
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Isaiah 6:1-5
In the presence of the Lord and his seraphim, Isaiah knew that he and his people were unworthy. Unworthiness is a justifiable reason to reject an invitation; fortunately, God knows how to restore:
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (v.6-7)
Now atoned, no time is wasted for the invitation and response:
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (v.8)
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (v.8)
Isaiah is barely restored and has no clue where he's being sent or why. In fact, all he knows is who is sending him... and that is enough. He does not hesitate, and shouts, "Here am I. Send me!"
God is inviting you to seek and serve Him today; we choose how we respond. Will we expect Him to explain the details before we commit, or trust His Godness and Goodness enough to accept blindly, believing He knows our selves and our purpose better than we ever could?
Accepting like Dan and Isaiah is difficult and risky; the good news is, when we inevitably miss it God's invitations come more than once!
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