Session 17

This is what Jesus invites you into

From Chasing Purpose: A 27-Day Devotional

Think about the last invitation you received. Did the size and shape of the envelope catch you by surprise? Did you drop the rest of the mail and open that envelope first?

Whether it was for a baby shower, a birthday party, or a wedding, every invitation has one thing in common. The person sending the invitation makes all the preparations for the event. You only have to respond.

That’s what separates fun mail from the rest. Rather than asking more from us, it invites us to enjoy the fruit of someone else’s labor.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus extends that kind of invitation to all of us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

If bad news, family drama, and work stress are the junk mail of life, Jesus’ invitation stands out like a square green envelope addressed by hand. “Come, let me take care of you,” it says.

Jesus doesn’t ask us to bring anything. We don’t have to look or act a certain way. We don’t need to have a specific job or know the right people. He’s done all the work. All we have to do is respond “yes.”

In a world where everyone is asking more from us, Jesus wants to be with us.

We’ll still work — that’s what a yoke was designed for. But this is a different kind of yoke. The life Jesus invites us into isn’t marked by striving or trying harder but walking side-by-side with Him.

Rather than pushing or hustling our way through life, we yoke ourselves to Jesus and let Him lead. As we do, we find that even those things that felt meaningless and wearisome are filled with meaning and purpose because of who we’re doing them with.

Reflect:

• Is there any area of your life that leaves you feeling weary and burdened? What makes that situation so draining?
  
• Whenever we say “yes” to one invitation, we’re saying “no” to something else. “No” to housework. “No” to alone time at home. Is there any area of your life where you need to say “no” to something so you can say “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to rest?