I love to get an invitation! When someone calls and invites me to lunch or coffee or cards on Friday night it gives me a thrill! It means the inviter wants ME! They want my company, my conversation, they want to catch up on my life. They also want to share their lives with me, tell me what they need or want, what is going on in their lives that is good, or not so good. It is mutually beneficial. And, throw in coffee or lunch and that makes conversation warmer!
Another reason I especially like an invitation is that I don't have to host or plan. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE to host anything. I love the planning, the preparation, even the cleaning that goes with it. However, it is really nice to show up at someone's house with the smell of coffee already made, food beautifully displayed, or even the cards shuffled and a pad of paper and a pencil for scorekeeping sitting on the table. That means that my host has thought ahead to make the time we are together free of distractions. Everything is ready to just be together. It is a great feeling to be wanted and planned for like that.
When I host, I usually do not want my guests to bring anything either. I want them to come and enjoy...free of planning, free of preparation, free from cooking or shopping. I want them to come and be served.
As I read my bible this morning I was struck by the words in Isaiah 55:1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost." That is an invitation! And not just any old invitation! It is from the Lord himself! He wants me! And he wants you! He wants us to come and be satisfied at his table, free of charge. You don't have to bring anything, it is all free! His Word will be served abundantly and you will feast and be satisfied. It goes on to say..."Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live."
The time we spend with the Lord devouring his word is not only important--it is necessary for life. The very life of our souls depend on it. His word is rich and good and satisfying. And it is free! And we have a golden invitation! He wants you and me! He has invited us to the party! He has thought ahead--thousands of years ago--to prepare for you when he breathed the words of scripture into existence. Oh, how he must love us to do that!
And the time we spend reading his words gives us time to catch up with Him. He will reveal in scripture all that He has planned for us, his love for us, and his desire for us and our lives. We will not be able to help pouring out to Him in return. Just as conversation with a good friend never has a lull, so the same will be for us when we are engaged over such wonderful "fare"--his Word.
Lord, may we always accept your invitation to feast on your Word. My the aroma always entice us, the conversation be satisfying, and may we always take delight in the opportunity to come without anything, always knowing that our time together of feasting on your Word gives life to my soul. Amen.
