Inviting God to Today

“Always be joyful.  Pray without ceasing, and give thanks whatever happens.  That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.”  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I talked with a friend recently who was concerned about a family wedding.  The bride was focused on the décor wanting to create the perfect Pinterest event.  There was no focus on the actual ceremony and the sacredness of the wedding.  I asked my friend, “Are you concerned that God is not invited to the wedding nor the marriage?”  She said, “Exactly. That’s it.”

This has made me ponder – Do we invite God to each day and each event and each relationship and each moment?  We may pray and “do” devotions.  We may go to worship.  We may even be involved in service to our community.  We may donate our time and resources to help others.  All of these are good.  All of these express ways of living out our faith and commitment to following Jesus.  But do we invite God into the moment we are doing all of these things and into the moments we are just living daily life?

I began to think about my week.  Each time I counsel, I pray for God’s Spirit to speak in and through me and even during the session, I ask God to guide me where I need to go and what I need to ask.  I invite God into my writing that the words on the page are His words and that God will use them to speak to someone.  But sometimes, my thoughts get off track and get lost going down a path that pulls me away from my focus on Jesus.  That is when I need to stop and say, “Hey, God, I forgot to take you with me.”  Are you inviting God into your work?

I found myself being more deliberate in making phone calls this week because I invited God to bring to mind people who needed a conversation or who needed to know I cared about what was going on in their lives.   I called many of my ninety-something friends to check on them and to let them know I cared, but I did not listen every time but got distracted with less important matters.  Are you inviting God into all your conversations and relationships?

I enjoyed a bike ride on the one day it did not rain and was sunny and warm enough to ride.  At first, my focus was only on the ride and sunshine, but when I invited God into the moment, I saw the beauty of His creation.  I saw an eagle, the beautiful white clouds, the geese, a jumping fish, and I relaxed in the beauty of God’s creation.  I breathed in God’s Spirit and breathed out any worries or frustrations.  When you invite God into your day, you see God’s presence and can give thanks.

I had lunch with my siblings this past week.  At first, I was focused on being the “cruise director” making sure everyone would show up and the conversation would be good.  Then, we prayed before the meal and invited God to be with us and to bless our conversation.  I relaxed and just accepted everyone for who they are and let it go.

I attended the visitation hours for a gentleman who was part of my childhood church experience.  Talking with his wife brought back childhood memories and also memories of my own grief journey.  The connection with the majority of the people present was church and family where God was present.  God had been invited and active in the life of my friend.  One of Fred’s legacies is the word “THINK.”  He challenged his students and those around him to think and use their God-given ability to work out the problems in his math class but also the problems of life.

To me, to think means to take a step back and pause.  It is asking yourself what is going on and what decision do I need to make here.  It is also inviting God into the situation to keep you focused on the moment, the solution, and the experience.

I attended the Bratwurst Festival and Parade where my niece was crowned 1st runner-up in the Bratwurst Festival Queen Pageant. I also had a nephew in the pizza eating contest before the parade.  So, you are wondering, what does the Festival have to do with inviting God?  It does.  It is inviting God into every moment of your life and relationships.  It was demonstrating God’s love and an aunt’s love by being present in the events that were important to my niece and nephew.  Giving hugs and showing how important they are by coming to events that were special to them.

It is not just praying to God, but inviting God to be with you and with those who you are praying for and the situations that you have no idea how to pray for.  It is inviting God to be with those who have been devastated by flooding.  It is inviting God to touch your heart and show you what to do and how to be of support.

Invite God into every thought and moment.  When you become anxious and worried, stop and THINK – oops, God, I did not invite you into this moment.  Come Jesus, Come.  Become intentional about inviting God.  God is with you and wants to be in your every thought and action.  “Hey, God, I invite you into my today.”

My website – www.livinginthedifferent.com

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