There’s a story in the Gospel of John about two men who were searching for Jesus. They had first followed John the Baptist, the one who came before, saying, “Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming” (Matthew 3:3). It was a logical move. If you don’t know who the Savior is, you might as well follow the man whose job it is to prepare his way.

One day, as John was standing with two of his disciples Jesus passed by them. John declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

I imagine them turning to John and sharing a moment, looking into his eyes. “Thank you for everything, but we can’t stay. We have to go. We’ve found the one for whom we’ve been searching.” John nods in agreement and smiles as he says, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 ESV).

The two men jog down the path to catch up with Jesus who, oddly enough, had just continued walking along the path. I like to imagine these two disciples as out of breath, gasping for air after a hard sprint. Their presence was unmistakable.

Turning, Jesus asks them, “What do you want?”

They respond, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come and see,” Jesus said (John 1:35-39).

They asked a simple question seeking a direct answer. My prayers are like that more often than I’d like to admit—a bit like I’m interrogating God for answers. Occasionally, I can be a bit rude. I forget about the back-and-forth that happens in a normal conversation. I just rush in with my urgent request: “Lord, I’m in a crisis, and I need an answer right now!”

“Where are you staying?” they asked.

Jesus didn’t answer their question directly. He didn’t give them the answer they sought. Otherwise, they might presume to act on it later. Instead, he gave them the answer they needed. He replied with an invitation: “Come, and you will see.”

The two men would find their answers only as they walked down the road with Jesus. The truth would be discovered along the journey. “Come now, not later. Come now and walk with me. Respond to my invitation, and you will see.”

The life of a Jesus follower begins with and is sustained by responding daily to God’s invitation. It is his invitation to you. It is an offer for a deeper, more meaningful relationship. This prospect can feel intimidating. We know ourselves, especially the worst parts we keep hidden from plain view. We ask ourselves, “Will he accept me once he finds out who I really am?

These fears must be calmed.

God does not use coercion. God longs to show you his kindness and compassion (Isaiah 30:18). Strong-arm tactics and guilt trips are not his way. But he is persistent. He never “slumbers or sleeps” (Psalm 121:4). He waits until the time when you’re ready to respond.

But as he waits, he continues to call. It is God who calls out to you, not the other way around. He is always the initiator. And since it is his invitation, you are certainly qualified to respond.

And to respond to Jesus, all that is required is a simple “Yes.”

It doesn’t matter how small and insignificant it may seem. Bring your “yes,” to God and he will take it from there. No formulas, sacred incantations, or multiple-choice exams are required. You are invited, not into a body of knowledge, but into an experience.

Are you already a Christian? You might believe all the things you’re supposed to, but something is still missing. You’re looking for something fresh. You want something more relevant than a once-a-week spirituality. You want something with substance. Jesus invites you to take the next step toward him.

Are you on the fence? Others may have misrepresented to you who Jesus is and what he wants. You may have been told he wanted strict conformity to a set of rules with “no questions asked” obedience. Let Jesus show you a different way. Even now, he invites you to take a small step closer so that you might know his gentleness and compassion.

Are you hurt? Have you been told that your outward behavior is more important than your hidden hurts and nagging questions? In your heart, you’re sure they’re wrong, but you can’t shake the sense that there’s still something about this Jesus that is worth pursuing. He invites you to come closer, bring your questions and concerns so that you might sit and talk for a while.

No matter where you are along the path, Jesus invites you on the journey and waits for your answer.

How will you respond?

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This was an excerpt from Invited: A Simple Guide for Connecting with God.

The idea of connecting with God is foreign to many people. Entering any pursuit of spirituality can feel a bit mysterious, sort of like entering uncharted waters. Without a clear path of how to build up momentum, many people simply stall out from insecurity. Invited is written as a field manual for the modern-day seeker. It is intended to take somebody from a place of curiosity about God and put them “on the path” toward Jesus.

In Invited: A Simple Guide for Connecting with God Matt Berry combines down-to-earth "teachable moments" with easy-to-understand truths from the Bible (which are shockingly relevant). You'll learn how to have a faith that is for everyday life, one that helps you to see what God is doing and hear God speak for yourself.

Find out more by visiting: https://find.TheMattBerry.com