An Incredible Invitation

Sometimes God has something else for us in mind than our pre-laid plans.

Since Saturday, I have been attending a summer college program that lasts for three weeks. I attend classes, go to church, deepen my faith, and fellowship with other Christians that are my age from all across the country. The entire experience has been simply amazing, although it has also been very tiring.

I have one four hour class, and one three hour class. I have homework for about an hour and a half or so, and the rest of my day is spent eating or developing community or spending time alone. There isn't much time for much else, such as social media or writing; hence my absence.

I intended to write just as often as I had before I came here, but while possible, I just didn't want to. Rather than write (which would be difficult considering that it's nearly impossible to be alone), I decided to go on walks or to the prayer chapel on campus and give that time to Jesus. I've participated in deep discussions of faith, shared my testimony, and had my heart changed by my peers, who 4 days ago, I didn't know. Now I know all of them by name. The community is incredible.

I think that before a lot of my identity was rooted in my writing. I found self-worth and fulfillment in serving God in this capacity, and I still do to an extent. However, I shouldn't find my fulfillment in my service, but rather my God. My God doesn't want sacrifice; He wants devotion and love (Hosea 6:6).

It's not the first time I've come across such a notion. I just hadn't realized I had slowly slipped back into my old way of finding fulfillment. January of last year was life-changing. I woke up one morning, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God wanted me to live WITH Him, not FOR Him. Those words matter, for they change the relationship drastically.

In my foundations class I take here, we even talked about this! This was very encouraging, knowing that what God had told me was true because He had planted the same idea in the hearts of strangers. 

A 'for' relationship is one of servitude. You do all things for Christ, and your life is shaped by the service of your God. Nothing you do is apart from His will or desire, and you strive to fulfill His wishes. You seek fulfillment yourself in the service and ministry that God calls you too. And while this sounds like a wholesome Christian life, it's not how God wants us to live.

God wants us living WITH Him. This is fundamentally different. Rather than your life being defined by your service, it's defined by your relationship. You find your fulfillment in His person and character, NOT His service. Your service overflows from a desire and longing to fulfill His wishes and dreams, because you have united yourself WITH Christ. Your will becomes His. 

This is so abstract for me, and I desperately try to wrap my head around this. A dynamic, flowing relationship with my God that isn't compartmentalized, but rather incorporated into every aspect of my daily life. It ebbs and flows. It reaches out and touches others, while also allowing me a refuge of peace and a stronghold in hard times. This is a relationship with our God; it's enigmatic. Who can know what it is to experience God?

Putting Him into words is just so difficult. He's my everything. My love. My Lover. He is God's only begotten Son, and the pride and joy of heaven. My Friend. A Savior. Strong and mighty in battle, the Lord of Hosts, a lion, a lamb.

But these are all such simple descriptions of Him! And, in addition, they can only describe one aspect of His character at a time! When people ask me what God means to me, how else can I respond but to be in utter awe of all He's done for me? Does my silence communicate reverence, which it is, or does it communicate an ignorance of my Savior? I know Him, and He knows me. "Now I know in part, but then in full, just as I am fully known." That's what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12.

But what words are there? God created words; the Creator is outside the creation. He is beyond, extra-dimensional, enigmatic.

And yet, fully knowable.

He INVITES us to explore His character! To invite His love and grace into our lives. He doesn't need us to help Him with the work He's called us to. He's all-powerful. But, like a loving Father, He INVITES us to join Him in His labor! He asks us to join Him as He does something incredible. Like a son at the toolbox: He asks for a wrench, and we can give it to Him. If we do, He'll make something incredible, or we can miss out on joining Him in His work, though He'll find the wrench Himself and get the job done. It's no longer: "Daddy and I did this!", but we have no part if we don't accept the invitation.

Do you understand this? Can you see? We have an opportunity to join a GOD in His work! He loves us enough to offer us a most incredible privelage: the service of Himself. This is not something to be taken lightly! 

Sometimes, His plans, His INVITATIONS, for us are completely seperate from our pre-laid plans. And to #LiveItLikeJesus, we've got to put down our own desires and accept Christ's vocation on our lives.