Invite – Involve

“If you want things to be different you have to do things differently.”

Do you want things to be different? Do you want to keep growing – in all areas of your life – or are you satisfied just coasting? I am frequently looking for ways to bump my trajectory, especially in my walk with Jesus. I use the word “walk” intentionally, because walking is the measure of a life of faith.

The Holy Spirit prompted the prophet Isaiah to write:

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40:30-31)

“… they will walk and not be faint.”

When I am soaring with emotion on a spiritual high my focus and my devotion to Jesus can be easy. And, I like running because it feeds my inner achievement drive. But to walk, calmly, quietly and constantly with Jesus? This is not so easy, is it? I like movement, I like motion, I like measurable mountains!

But this is not the way of the disciple of Jesus. This is:

When Christ’s abiding presence becomes our guide, then guidance becomes an almost unconscious response to the gentle moving of His Holy Spirit within us. (Bob Mumford, Take Another Look at Guidance)

“The gentle moving of His Holy Spirit within us.” But how to live this?

May I suggest you adopt this practice: Outset – Reset?

At the outset of each day invite Jesus into your day. Invite him into the details of your day. In the morning I look over my Daytimer and the list of things to do, and I invite Jesus into each meeting, each errand, each task.

Jesus makes a rather remarkable promise about this Outset: Invite:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Rev. 3:20)

Are we to take Jesus literally? Is it that simple? I just open the door of my heart and in he comes?

Yes.

But you must mean it and you must want it. Perhaps your prayer may just be, “Jesus help me to want to want to invite you in.” He knows your heart. He is not expecting you to be perfect – even in your “wanting.” You open the door of your heart; he will take care of the coming in part.

This is a wonderful start to your day. If you start this practice – and it will take practice – it will change your day. And it will change … transform … you.

Next Week: Yet, as we discussed last week, what about the rest of the day? The “10:30’s on Tuesdays?” How to continue this invitation into and throughout the day?

Reset: Involve – How we reset our focus to involve Jesus back into our day.