"Because He Said So! Discovering who the I AM says I am"

Ladies, I have to tell you that today’s devotion was not on my list of topics. But yesterday morning, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to write “The I AM says I am invited!” I think perhaps it might have come from the deep feelings that so many shared about being approved and accepted. And I felt like it was important for us to take a look at how God invites us into relationship with Him. So…I pulled this together at the last minute. There has not been a second pair of eyes to help me proof this work so please forgive any typos or mistakes.

The I AM says I am invited!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Everyone wants to be on the guest list. Whether we are included in a “special invitation only” event or simply invited to grab a coffee with a co-worker, “do lunch” with a girlfriend, join our neighbors for a dinner in their home, be included in a Super Bowl Party, or invited to spend the weekend with friends at their summer home, it feels nice to be asked, to be included.

In sixth grade the new girl at school was having a party and I so hoped I would be included. I went to the mailbox every day checking to see if my invitation had arrived and day after day, I was met with disappointment. I never received an invitation, and the party came and went without me. Ironically, the Monday after the party, there was a torn and tattered invitation that had apparently been lost in the mail. I had been asked to attend the party, but I missed out because I didn’t receive the invitation; I didn’t know I was invited!

Ladies, let's not miss this invitation! God is cordially inviting us to “do life” with Him...for eternity! And He goes beyond simply extending the offer; He is beaconing us, calling us, pleading with us! “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37). In this passage Jesus is hollering to the crowd inviting them to join Him. In our life, Jesus often encourages us to join Him not with a shout, but with a whisper. His invitations are delivered through His Word and through the Holy Spirit. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; can you hear Him?

One of the images that I often think of when I think of being invited to live with Christ is the image of the last supper. In Matthew 26:26-30 we see Jesus at the table with His friends, His disciples. He invites them to eat the bread and drink from the cup that represent His body and His blood that would be sacrificed for them. He offers that to us today; all we have to do is confess, repent, and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. At His table we will no longer thirst, we will no longer be hungry, and we will find rest for our weary souls.

Our Heavenly Father invites us to be in fellowship with Him now and forever. He is waiting for us with open arms, all we have to do is accept his call. This is a come as you are invitation for eternity; we can never wear out our welcome with Him. So today, let’s pack up our problems, bring our burdens, and show up with our sins in response to His call. He has us covered! Let’s rejoice in thanksgiving and praise as we say, "I am invited…because He said so!" And... if you have never accepted His call, I pray that you will follow up that "Godfirmation" and say…"I accept!"

Additional Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 66:5; Matthew 19:14-15; John 3:16; Revelation 3:20; 22:17

Dear Lord,

I praise You today for all that You are; You are the Creator of the Universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are the I AM! I know that You created me on purpose for a purpose. I am who You say I am. The enemy wants to hold me back from living out the calling You have placed on my life. Lord, saturate my mind with the truth of Your Word so that I may remember that my identity is found in You and only You. Remind me throughout the day, when the world comes tumbling in, that You are in control. Reveal Your will in my life as I only want to please You. No matter how difficult my day becomes I will remember that I can do all things through You (Phil 4:13). In Jesus' name. Amen