The Invitation

There is something remarkable about who Jesus addressed when He said, "Come to Me." He did not call the prepared or the put-together, neither did He summon those who had already found their footing. Those He called were weary, and the heavy laden, the ones bent low under loads they were never designed to carry. The invitation was not reserved for those who had earned a hearing.

We tend to feel that we must arrive at Jesus in a decent condition, but Jesus said, COME NOW AND COME AS YOU ARE. The weariness is not a disqualification at all, but the very condition He addressed.
Notice that He did not say, "I will show you where to find rest." The rest is not a technique or a schedule or a spiritual discipline, though those things have their place. This rest is a Person, beloved, and it flows from being in relationship with Christ Himself, from bringing the weight of our lives into the presence of One who is infinitely strong, infinitely gentle, and completely acquainted with our grief.

Wherever you are at currently in your life, that is where the invitation begins. It was extended precisely to those who had nothing left.

You may think that you need to clean yourself up before you pray, or try as hard as you may to settle your guilt before you can open the Bible. The devil wants you to believe that you can only draw near to Jesus once things have improved in your life. That is far from the truth because Jesus wants you to come boldly to the throne of Grace and He is already waiting. The question is simply whether you will come.

REFLECT
What load have you been carrying that you have not yet brought to Jesus?
In what way have you been trying to "clean up" before approaching Him? What would it look like to simply come as you are?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You weary and without pretence. I bring what I have been carrying, and I lay it before You now. Teach me what it means to truly receive the rest You offer. Amen.