This is the last in our “Love and…” series, and I am just struck this week by the concept of the invitation.

When you begin a relationship with someone, it usually begins with an invitation.  “Hey, you wanna go hang out?”, “Would you like to go out to dinner?”.   The invitation is just the beginning.  It takes thought on the part of the inviter, but it also takes a decision on the part of the invited.

The Our Time Conference is about to begin, and the women are ready to gather.  Friends inviting friends, sisters bringing sisters, and mothers bringing daughters.  Our Time Women have found we get the best response to these things when we personally invite someone. People decide to accept the invitation out of their relationship with us, (and because as girls,  no one ones to sit alone, right?).

I believe God is always inviting us.  The Bible says He calls us by name! He invites us to begin a relationship with Him.  He invites us to His peace.  He invites us to a place where He can give us wisdom to fix the messes we’ve gotten ourselves into.

Ephesians 1:4 in the Message version says, “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.”

Think about that!  God, the Creator of the Universe scans the horizon of humanity and singles us out, one at a time, in each generation and invites us to be His friend. I used to think, eh, He doesn’t see me, I’m just one speck in a sea of millions.  But He did!  He saw me.  He called my name!  I get to hang out with Him and be His chosen friend.  Not just one day, but everyday.

He is calling each of us to draw near.  He is calling you.  Even in the busyness of your day.  Even in a crowd, He is calling your name.  He has His eyes on you, is watching over you, loves you , and is waiting for you to respond to His invitation.  Turn your focus toward Him today.  Say “yes God,  I am right here.”