I put on my favorite dress, drove across town, and reluctantly rolled into the small gray building with the bold red cross. I had been holding myself back from this moment, but there was no way I couldn’t be there in attendance for my son Danny, who invited me. Another invitation, just months earlier, set in motion this powerful sequence of events that changed my life forever.
As I celebrate my salvation this month, eight years now with Jesus, I think back to how it all took place. The Lord had a plan to get me exactly where I needed to be. This plan would need a willing heart though; a person excited to share the love of Jesus with others.
One Invitation Can Open A Closed Heart
This person happen to be only 13 years old. A kind, outgoing youngster named Joey. He had just met Danny, who transferred in mid-semester to the same school after being bullied at another Jr. High. The two became close friends right off the bat.
I’ll never forget when they showed up outside of my car window after school; Joey asking if a trip to church was OK. I gave my approval and thought if anything this would be a positive environment for Danny, never once thinking this whole “church thing” would ever be for me.
In fact, I spent months dropping them off outside of the church, with Joey’s mom encouraging me to come inside. I just smiled, said thank you, and drove off in a hurry.
The chances of me ever going inside were extremely low. I spent most of my time trying to put on a good front that I had it all together, while in reality I had a serious panic disorder. Going to a new place with a crowd of people I didn’t know was out of the question.
As I worked tirelessly to shelter myself, there was Jesus, somehow becoming a regular part of the conversation on the weekly drive home from picking Danny up from church. I could see this new lightheartedness within my son. I needed to know more about what Danny was learning and the journalist inside me started asking for details.
These conversations made me feel more and more comfortable, to the point that when Danny extended to me the same invitation he had received, I said yes rather quickly.
God Is Waiting To Meet You
There, in my printed black dress, I sat nervously waiting for the service to start.
Immediately, the worship music reached right into my heart and I felt something different – love and comfort. The emotion was overwhelming. I could feel, almost touch, the presence of God.
And then, suddenly, the pastor stopped the service and began to speak of Danny and his upcoming spinal surgery.
Not a single person in the building was sitting. Instead, they all stood, hands raised to Heaven, praying for Danny.
In this unbelievably touching moment, I knew God was with me and my son. I could now let go and finally breathe. Danny was going to be healthy and strong.
I gave my life to Jesus that day and walked out knowing I am not alone. The Lord made a way. He always makes a way to meet us, because He has chosen us for a purpose.
I look at Joey’s actions and love for Jesus as an example of this.
Joey set a seed that my son then set down for me. Wow! What a blessing – a blessing that has grown into something beautiful.
The Lord’s influence and love continues to strengthen both myself and Danny to see our lives and our disability as having a unique purpose.
Bring Jesus Back To The Forefront
One might think of an invitation as something so small, but it has the potential to be so much more.
This reminds me of when Jesus describes the Lord’s kingdom to the disciples, saying it is like a mustard seed, starting off tiny to become so valuable.
My journey started with an invitation that grew into conversations about the Lord. And today, I rest reassured that Jesus is with me, providing me with strength.
As I share with you my testimony, I also realize I have missed a number of opportunities to share Jesus with the people I come across in my daily life.
I think of the mustard seed and ask myself if I am going to continue to be a part of God’s plan to reach people, from generation to generation.
If I am the church and a disciple of Jesus, I should also be passing to others what was given to me.
Just as Jesus left the disciples with a special mission at hand, He leaves us one as well.
He is asking us to share His name with others through our faith. Nothing complicated or pushy, just passing along the love of Jesus.
It’s time to bring the Lord back to the forefront of the conversation.
What I have learned in the last 8 years is that God will always lead us if we are open to Him. He will give us the words needed in the moment, whether it’s to invite someone to church, pray for them, or share what the Lord is doing in your life. That bright light He has given each of us will shine through.
An invitation is just one avenue that can help others experience the love of Jesus. Take a look at the list below and challenge yourself this month to share Jesus in a way you haven’t before.
Simple Ways To Introduce Jesus To Others
- Share your testimony. Just one example of how the Lord has shown up in your life is a great way to share the grace of Jesus with others.
- Comfort others with the same love and patience the Lord has shown you. When that friend needs support or encouragement, let them know that they are not alone. The Lord is there, right by their side.
- Talk about Sundays. God is moving in the church. Sundays are special as the Lord’s presence reaches people. This provides a chance to start a conversation about the Lord and all He is doing.
- Pray with others. Praying aloud can be intimidating at first, but it gives us a chance to show others the comfort Jesus provides.
- Share worship music. A song can connect people to Jesus in a personal way. Send a song to a friend and it can start up a discussion all about Jesus.
- Invite! Ask a friend to join you on a Sunday. Yes, people will decline, but we can’t get discouraged. Keep sharing, keep asking here and there, because you never know when someone will accept.
The month of May resembles a changing of the tide and a new sense of purpose. I pray that I can be a better example of what it means to be a follower of Christ and bring His name back to the forefront. I challenge my readers to do the same. If Jesus lives within you, share His name outwardly and openly.
On the other hand, if you don’t know Jesus and would like to learn more about the Lord, or have any questions, you can message me in the comment section below.
Lastly, thank you to Joey and his family for their patient persistence. Without that one simple invite, I would not be here, Dedicated To Jesus.
