An Invitation to You

Hi friends!

I cannot believe it is already October, personally one of my favorite months of the year. I guess that makes sense because Fall holds a special place in my heart.

It's a Monday. It's a new week. Maybe you feel ready for it. Maybe you're coming into the week feeling tired. Maybe you're riding the high off of a fun weekend trip or seasonal weekend plans. Maybe you're experiencing dread. Maybe you are just going through the motions, waiting for another weekend to come. Maybe you're full of hope and purpose for what this week has in store for you. And maybe you feel heavy, carrying burdens, filled with anxiety, increased stress as the demands of the week become your reality. I'm not sure where you're at, but can I just invite you to pause and take stock of where you're at. Take a moment to ground yourself as you spring into this new week.

Lately, something's been pressing on my heart. Let's take a look at John 10:10.

"A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance."

This is an invitation to you from Jesus. Yes, you. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, fully God and fully man, came, lived, and died a substitutionary death on the cross for our sins, and was ressurrected three days later, defeating death forever. He took our place on the cross. We deserved the cross because of our sin, but in His perfect love and his boundless mercy, He has come so that we may have life in His name, and have it in abundance. What a gracious invitation, something we could have never earned, this is the gospel, and this is your invitation to life in His name. A free gift, finding salvation only through Him, by grace through faith. Maybe you have heard the gospel before, the redemptive story of God bringing His children home, back to restoration with Him, through Jesus.

Maybe you've thought the gospel isn't for you. Maybe this is the first time you are hearing the gospel. Maybe you've gone to church your whole life but truly haven't met Jesus and seen the transformative work in you through Him. Maybe you've looked to others who follow Jesus and have been hurt, but you yourself haven't given Jesus a chance by looking to Him first. I am not sure of your story, but can I remind you or tell you, and hear me when I say, you are not disqualified from the gospel. There is nothing you can do that will disqualify you from what Jesus has done on the cross. Nothing. Jesus loves you immeasureably more than we can describe. He desires to have a relationship with you.

In Christ, there is freedom. In this invitation to abundant life in Him, there is freedom. Freedom from the chains you've been walking with for years. Freedom from sin you've been hiding in. Freedom from fear. Freedom from shame. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from pride. Freedom from addiction. Freedom from the need to control. Freedom from the need for approval. He has come to set you free. To set the captives free. To break the chains, the strongholds over your life. To see him rightly with a pure heart. Jesus loves you. Jesus meets you and is near to you in your brokenness. He sees you in your mess. He sees you in your doubt. His grace abounds in the gaps of your heart, and it is through faith, that we can trust Him in this invitation. We are in desperate need of His love.

In John 8:36, we can find rest in this truth,"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Do you want to be free? Do you want to break free from the chains and strongholds over your life? What is the enemy stealing in your life? What is the enemy killing in your life? What is the enemy destroying in your life? Do you trust Jesus as the Lord and Savior over your life?

Maybe today is the day you finally answer these questions truthfully, and examine your heart. He wants to hear from you. He wants to walk in abundant life with you.

In this, I want you to hear, He is not saying clean up and do better, He is saying come to me. Here's your invitation to abundant life in Him, one that is not easier, but one that is far greater and better. True freedom cannot be found apart from the One who paid it all. Freedom is living well.

Until next time,

Em