My first response when receiving the wedding invitation was that the distance to the venue meant a days-long, tedious trip. But reasons to go made the decision easy.
For a minute, I was distracted by travel demands. I soon remembered that I would be blessed by meeting people of deep Christian faith who demonstrate it by their lives. The ceremony was an uplifting worship event that focused on Christ and His love for His church. The music set the stage for the grand ceremony. Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons, Spring” invited mental pictures of sunshine, flowers, and singing birds as the beautiful and handsome attendants walked the aisle and took their places. At the right moment, the groom turned to see his bride. Unbridled joy!
Have you heard about your invitation? Indeed, to say yes does require a commitment, but the journey and the destination are worth accepting this invitation. The accompanying blessings will surely be a surprise! Let me explain.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Those are not just words Jesus uttered 2000 years ago. He activates that invitation to all, even today. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit to convict you about your sin, God’s righteousness, and the soul peril of facing eternity apart from Christ (John 16:8). Jesus emphasized compassion and forgiveness in the invitation when He said, “I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him” (John 12:47-48). It’s clear that rejecting the invitation is possible despite the evidence that God exists, and Christianity’s claims are true.
To respond to the Spirit’s prompting and to accept the invitation to believe Jesus is to receive Jesus Himself. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). That is a blessing you cannot fully appreciate this side of eternity. But then, I can only imagine you will be surprised by joy beyond even the most beautiful wedding!