“What color invitation do you want, Yolly?” asked Amelia from her side of the table. “I like yellow best,” I replied. “We don’t have any yellow ones,” she parried. I’ve come to expect this answer from Amelia when we’re pretending. She’s much like me when her train of thought leaves the station, it’s already heading in one direction and she resists altering its course. Once, when Paul and I were teaching our daughter’s fifth grade Sunday school class, I asked a series of questions that seemed to lead to an obvious conclusion but after several tries and being met with blank stares, Paul interjected, “Maybe rephrase your question. I’m not sure we understand what you’re asking.” He was correct. Answers flowed freely when I changed course.
“Do you know what an invitation is?” I asked Amelia doubtfully. She shook her head no so I continued. “Would you like to know what an invitation is?” I’ve learned to ask with Amelia. She isn’t always interested in an explanation. I only frustrate myself when I press my point and she tunes me out and talks over me. Sometimes she’s just pretending in her own little world and she wants me to play along. Other times, like today, she looks earnestly into my eyes and waits for my reply. If I am attentive to her cues, teachable moments abound.
Turns out that the last time my daughter was in town with her boys for their dentist appointments, Amelia had overheard her mom talking with Caroline about Thomas’s upcoming birthday party and Caroline had said she still needed to decide what to put on the invitation. I was not surprised that once they had gone home, Amelia picked this word up in her play. She does this frequently. It’s how she processes new information. As believers in Jesus, we would do well to consider how we construct our invitations to those outside the faith. I am assuming that we are already being obedient to Christ’s commission to share the good news as we go into all the world. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15) That Christ died for our sins and was buried and raised on the third day according to the Scriptures is our message but when and how we share it is as unique as you and me and every person created in God’s image with whom we share it. Staying grounded in God’s Word and in prayer prepares our hearts and minds for every interaction He orchestrates each day. Like Christians in the early Church, we must be prepared to face rejection but not because of our presentation.
“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it.
So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
Keep your conscience clear.
Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
1 Peter 3:13-16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.15.NLT
Other people perceive our actions and motivations through their own lens. Their perceptions of us may not include the word Christian. Someone may say of me, “She’s a good person,” but that does not necessarily mean they connect my goodness to the goodness of God. Don’t be surprised if your words or your world view sound foreign to some people. Sometimes you won’t find common ground from which to begin. I have been guilty of waiting so long for an opening that I never got around to actually offering an invitation to know Jesus personally. This would be the same as me telling you all the details of a party I am hosting but never actually inviting you to attend.
I must also be intentional with my words. Jesus most often quoted scripture and asked questions when interacting with people. We cannot go wrong with quoting God’s Word but we must be careful to use it appropriately and in context. God’s Word means what it means and we must never take license to bend it to our own understanding. I readily confess that I do not understand everything I read but I continually study and faithfully share what I am learning.
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.
Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
Gently instruct those who oppose the truth.
Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
2 Timothy 2:15-16, 23-26 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.2.15-26.NLT
“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit.
It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”
1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.2.14.NLT
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction!
But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.1.18.NLT
“But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.
And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
God has united you with Christ Jesus.
For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself.
Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.””
1 Corinthians 1:24-31 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.1.24-31.NLT
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.
And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:12-17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/col.3.12-17.NLT
“So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us.
We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.
That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
Colossians 1:28-29 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/col.1.29.NLT
“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God.
Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.4.1-5.NLT
No one is excluded from the invitation. All are invited but it is simply an invitation. Just as you and I are free to accept or reject an invitation to a dinner, a party, or an event, all are free to accept God’s offer of forgiveness and new life in Christ. It is God’s party. He is getting everything ready just as Jesus said to His first followers. (John 14:2-3) The when and the where this wedding feast of the Lamb will occur has not yet been revealed but the invitation is still opened for a time. You and I are responsible for extending God’s invitation until Jesus returns. We cannot change the invitation to suit our own desires or preferences.
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.14.6.NLT
““You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.
The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.13-14.NLT
If these odds bothers you, then ask yourself why? Are there people whose lives prove they are rejecting Christ and this feels unfair to you? You have not loved them more than God who is Love. God is infinitely and inexplicably patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9) God will not force anyone to accept His invitation. Each one has the same opportunity. We are not promised tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation. Let the sense of urgency prompt you to go and make disciples as Jesus commands. Ask Him to give you a heart like His.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.””
Matthew 9:36-38 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.9.36-38.NLT
“Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.”
Luke 10:3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.10.3.NLT
Come To The Table ~Sidewalk Prophets https://youtu.be/WiL3Pgt5Xog?is=FacriySYa1JtfdCT
Running Back To You ~Seph Schleuter https://youtu.be/3qpjgrsE9mE?is=grw3uQHE9h41zD7E
A Fitting Reply 