Thursday 5 December 2013

An invitation not to be missed

One of the loveliest things anyone can do for us is to invite and welcome us into their life.

To share at a deep level is trust revealed and given.

And our response to it could make or break that friendship.

Because there is a reciprocal response required.

How about when it's God issuing the invitation?

Will we draw near to the Source of Life Himself?

Maybe we will go to Him willingly if we appreciate the worth of this invitation. Or maybe we hesitate ~ wary, uncertain, or unwilling to follow.

Since the beginning of this year God has been trying to get my attention. The 'word' He laid on my heart should have given me a clue as to His intentions.

Yet my soul has pulled away and strayed more often than not from the simple call of "Come".

This week three words have repeated themselves:"Come to Me" and I know it's time I listened and heeded them.


'Come to Me'

Come to Me when you are weary
worn out and sad
Come to Me when you are happy,
rejoicing and glad

Come to Me in sorrow
when clouds obscure your day
Come to Me in anger
when nothing goes your way

Come to Me when you are empty
needing to be filled
Come to Me anxious, wary,
needing to be stilled

Come to Me impatient, restless,
desperate for a change
Come to Me when life's a mess
for Me to rearrange

Come to Me continually, always,
just as you are
Come to Me willingly each day
though I seem near or far

Come to Me hungry, waiting
to be fed
Come to Me dry, thirsty,
for My Living Bread

Come to Me ~ don't hesitate
or stay in despair
Come to Me now
I will always Be Here
©JoyLenton2013

"Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ~ Matthew 11:28
"Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without cost...Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live" ~ Isaiah 55:1 -3
I've really needed this reminder recently.

As days get busier and more stressful I can't afford not to go to God on a regular basis.

He alone is the centre and oasis of calm in the midst of chaos.

Peace in our pain and problems.

Rest and refreshment in times of rush and hurry.

Continual love and compassion for when we need a tender touch.

Our patience and endurance when every last scrap deserts us.

Hope in the hard places.

Grace as we grapple to see our way forward.

Light eternal to make the way ahead clearer.


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Maybe God is saying something similar to you too?

Perhaps, like me, you sense Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.

Maybe this Advent season is a good time to come to Him and let Christ live in your heart.




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Joining here with Jennifer for #TellHisStory and with Nacole for #concretewords

**Note** ~ This poem is a rare one now on 'Words of Joy' as most of my poetry is being profiled on my new site poetryjoy.com ~ I'd love you to hop over and take a look.

14 comments:

  1. Thanks, Joy - I can really identify with this. As life gets ever busier, I'm increasingly realising how much I need to come to Jesus and rely on him to get me through each day. F. xx

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    1. And God usually finds a way to make that known to us, doesn't He? Our dependence and leaning on Him brings the ease and rest we so desperately need as we run around like headless chickens. Thanks very much for stopping by, Fiona. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Blessings :) xx

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  2. I realized this week how utterly dependent I am on Him. This is a lovely reflection Joy, nice to visit you.

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    1. Although it seems like a painful and demoralising thought, such realisation of our utter dependence stops us in our tracks and gets us reorientated to the way God intends us to function. It's lovely to see you here, Shelly. Thanks very much for visiting. Do come again! You are always welcome. :) x

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  3. beautiful! I have been hearing the word COME over and over again this week and your words affirmed God's message to me. so glad you came over to my blog and I came here. lovely blog and so happy we've connected

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    1. Oh thank you, Jean! When God wants to get our attention He can be very persistent, can't He? I really appreciate you sharing your own insights here. It's lovely to have met and connected with you too. Blessings :) x

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  4. Just beautiful, Joy! The whole post! But your poem, so real! I can hear God calling!

    Thank you my sweet friend!

    Katina

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    1. Hi Katina. God is calling and we are given ears to hear Him and hearts to respond. Isn't that wonderful? Lovely to see you here, my friend. You are such an encouragement to me! Blessings :) xx

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  5. Dear Joy, Just read your wonderful blog on such promise! God demands our attention. Although we get preoccupied with this earthly life of hustle and bustle, He is always there patiently waiting for us, to learn our lessons. Lessons through mercy and grace! Always so richly blessed by your comforting and encouraging words! :) xx

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    1. Dear Kathy,thank you so much for offering your own insights here! Yes, we are thankful indeed for the Lord's great mercy, grace, and patience with us. Lessons may be learned slowly but He is always willing to offer us whatever time is necessary for us to make progress. I'm always very blessed by your encouragement, my friend! :) xx

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  6. Such a beautiful poem. You include so many reminders about what Advent means. It is such a fight to stay authentic when the nature of this season pulls so hard at keeping us busily on the surface. May quietude and peace find you this year!

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    1. Hi Karin, I agree with you when you say, "It is such a fight to stay authentic when the nature of this season pulls so hard at keeping us busily on the surface". Oh yes, indeed! Yet God is asking is to go deep, dig in and savour the full meaning and implications of Advent. It runs completely against the tides of trimming and tinsle, the gloss and glitter that is only superficial. The Christmas message is for the whole year, not just for a season.
      Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing your thoughts with me here! May you enjoy entering more into God's peaceful presence too, my friend. Blessings :) x

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  7. So sorry I'm just now coming by, Joy. "Grace as we grapple for our way forward." Oh how I love that. That is meaningful to me right now. Thank you for the beautiful poem.

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    1. Nacole, you are always welcome whenever you can manage to drop by. It's lovely to see you! I loved your #concretewords post. Hope that God's grace is sustaining you through the busyness of this season. Rest in Him. Blessings :) xx

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