An open invitation When was the last time someone invited you to go do something? Maybe you went to a concert, or to dinner, on a hike, or out for a cup of coffee. Perhaps you were the one offering the invitation. You were excited about something you were going to do and wanted someone to join you. Maybe you wanted to spend time getting to know someone better or building on an existing relationship. I think invitation is at the very heart of God. With a word he invites things to come into being, and they do. The stars. the moon, the sun, the seas, the dry land... And He invites people to be in relationship with him. It’s an open invitation…he is always ready to spend time with us. Not surprisingly as those created in the image of God, that invitational nature is reflected in us as well. We both love to invite and to be invited. Jesus, as the incarnate expression of God, invites us to follow him... to join with him in his life and work. In turn, we, as those he invites, are called to invite others to follow Him as well. Our lives, our experiences, and circumstances are often the invitation our Lord hands out to the people around us. It might be over a cup of coffee or on a walk. It could be a simple meal with an opportunity to talk about matters of faith. It might be an invitation to come to church or to a bible study. Make sure to let them know it’s an open invitation. Blessings,
Matthew+ O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 225) | 
