Accepting the Invitation
In today’s culture, it is easy to get swept up in the grind mindset and an overall position of being discontent. The mornings that start off in a whirlwind of splashing water and chaotic closets have the ability to keep our bodies and minds in a state of stress throughout the day.
As shadows grow longer, patience is harder to come by, especially in homes crowded with children, or workspaces teeming with tasks. The result? Our spirits become a total afterthought, more susceptible to lacking joy and gratitude, putting our Father on the back-burner rather than the forefronts of our minds.
On nights we lie awake thinking, scrolling, or working long after clocking out, our God-given rest is but a dream. I have fallen victim to this fast pace time and time again. I have sought The Kingdom second, third, and fourth, rather than first, (Matthew 6:33).
How easy it is to just do? How common it is to be told we need more? We’ve been tricked into anxiety, depression, dopamine addictions, and selfishness. Personally, I have noticed a positive shift mentally and spiritually in the moments where I slow my body down enough to focus on what is right in front of me.
Mindfulness has become a form of worship where I can stop for long enough to appreciate life in the present moment. When we let the noisiness of rushing worry quiet down, there is room to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, fulfilling God’s will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Oftentimes, it is easier said than done to walk in the Spirit rather than in our flesh like Paul implores the Church of Galatia to do (Galatians 5:16-26). However, if we take a look at his letter to the Galatians, Chapter Two through Five, (in full context), we can see that in Christ we have liberty from the bondage of sin, and along with that, the law.
Here’s a thought to chew on: could the laboriousness of the world be tied to its inability to rest in the grace of God? Is the flesh of people naturally inclined to work over rest?
Look at how our society, especially in the West, operates: get the degree, get the job, climb the corporate ladder, buy nice things. Get a side-hustle so you can buy more nice things.
There is nothing wrong with educating oneself, having a fulfilling career, or even being financially prosperous, but when we look too far ahead at what to accomplish next, it will leave us feeling dissatisfied in the now.
When we look at what influencers, especially Christian influencers, have, we push harder to do more. Preach, start a ministry, support more charities, and give more so the church can have nice things. Notice a resemblance?
Again, declaring one’s faith publicly is a Biblical standard, operating in our gifting is giving it away to others, and the church is allowed to have nice things! How we go about achieving this, and whether we are moving in the Lord’s will, though, makes all the difference in our works. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, (Isaiah 55:8-9).
What God is speaking to us in Isaiah, Chapter Fifty-Five, is an invitation to an abundant life. We serve a God who invites us to eat and be satisfied, delight our souls in an overflow of riches, and hear so that our souls shall live.
When we hear the good news of grace, Jesus paves the only way to reconciliation with our Father, and God makes an everlasting covenant with us. God has mercy on us, pardons us. As we meditate on His Word, identifying with Him, that very Word sends us out with joy and leads us into peace; a peace we cannot attain apart from this by any works.
Perhaps if we received this peace before doing anything, it would become easier to rejoice always, no matter what season of “doing” we find ourselves in. The Greek word for “rejoice” is chairó, coming from the same root xar, “favorably disposed, leaning towards” and cognate with xáris, or, “grace,” (Strong’s Concordance 5463 & 5485).
So when we rejoice, we are becoming conscious of the New Covenant, and accepting God’s invitation, experiencing His good grace. Prayer is required to rejoice, and we can see that the Word is saturated with how they are closely tied.
Worship does not have to be separate from prayer, because they are two pieces of the same puzzle. When Jesus gives us the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9, it begins with acknowledging God for who He is. God is our Father! Hallowed is His name.
He is holy, consecrated, and worthy of praise and honor! Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for us to be adopted into God’s holy family and live separated from the sin nature of the world. This means that He makes it possible for us to rest. He makes it possible for us to be still and know that He is God, (Psalm 46:10).
We need not worry (or be anxious) about anything, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ, (Philippians 4:6-7).
The Greek word for pray is closely interconnected with the root word for “faith,” which is pístis, (Strong’s Concordance 4102). When we lean towards the Lord, sharing our worries and wants, our faith in God increases, and stress decreases.
When we acknowledge who we are speaking to, we can rest in the payment of Jesus. Remember your good Father who will supply all your needs, be near to you when you are broken-hearted, and grant you peace! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, (Psalm 118:1)!
A tradition amongst many Christians is to partake in the Lord’s Supper through what is called the Eucharist. On the Passover before His crucifixion, Jesus broke bread with His disciples saying, “this is my body, which is broken for you, do this in memory of me,” (Luke 22:19).
Likewise, He took the cup of wine and said, “this cup is the new covenant of my blood, which is shed for you, (Luke 22:20). I do not find it coincidental that the Greek word for “give thanks” is eucharisteó, from eú, “good,” and xaris, "grace,” (Strong’s Concordance 2168, 2095, & 5485). When we rejoice, pray, and give thanks, we remember the body and blood of Jesus.
The truth of this new covenant is available to us in every season, whether it be prosperous or lacking, happy or sad, busy or slow. In all circumstances, we are children of the Most High. In everything we do, God is with us, communing with us, and bringing supernatural peace.
In every moment of every day, we can stop and soak in His presence, knowing that Jesus ended the need to work to please our Father or the world around us. We shall not want, for our cups are overflowing with the good grace of the God of the universe.
If you ever notice that you may be getting ahead of yourself and that it is bringing you stress, stop and look around you. Every good thing you see came from the Lord (James 1:17). When you feel alone or like you can’t do it all, turn your face to Jehovah Jireh, your Provider.
Remember that as good as your works stemming from your faith can be, nothing tops the fact that the King of kings simply wants a relationship with you, and as long as you acknowledge your Father, fight your battles with praise, and trust in prayer, you are accomplishing His will for your life.
When you fall short, grace says you can try again. We as Christians are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, (1 Peter 2:9), and are called to be consecrated like our Father. So don’t feel the need to mimic the religiousness of the world.
The law is death, and Jesus already conquered that for you! Slow down, accept the invitation of the Lord, and find fulfillment in whatever is right in front of you. Before you know it, you will look back and see that when you sought The Kingdom first, God’s Word illuminated the way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rayanne is learning what it means to be a disciple of the love of her life in the day to day of living her life. She is a full-time early childhood teacher, wife, and Jesus enthusiast. She is learning how to trust the process of using her gifts of the Spirit along with her earthly gifts. Exploring nature, making and appreciating art in all forms, and building relationships with those around her bring her joy and peace!