Responding to the Lord’s Invitation

Last month, as I was headed back home on a five-hour flight, I was looking to kill some time, so I decided to rewatch The Dark Knight Rises - the 3rd and final installment of Christopher Nolan's epic The Dark Knight Trilogy. Just about an hour before we were about to land, I felt this gentle prompting from the Lord saying, "Jeff, give me the last hour of your flight." I initially shrugged it off – given that I was almost done with the movie. But then that quiet invitation from the Lord came back a second time - "Give me the last hour of your flight." Feeling this gravitational pull towards Him, I turned off my phone and gave Him that last hour of the flight.

Fast forward to about a week later, when one morning as I was casually scrolling through my Instagram feed/stories, that same prompting came from the Lord yet again. But this time, He said - "Jeff, give me your mornings." Noticing that my screen time usage was starting to creep into my mornings (much of it going to social media), I also realized it was about that time of the year when I normally take a longer break from social media. So I logged out of my accounts, deleted the apps from my phone, and have been offline since.

About a week after that, I was watching an episode of ESPN's Sportscenter when again, that same inner voice came to me a third time. And this time He said, "Jeff, give me your evenings..." My reply at this point was "Lord, I gave you an inch, but now you are taking this a mile." But given that this was the third time in a few weeks that He had been engaging me in this way, I couldn't deny or resist that God was inviting me into a more focused time of personal devotion to Him. God often does this in seasons when He has something important to share with me. And while it is still too early to explain why He has been pulling on me in this manner – what I can tell you right now is that my mind feels clearer, I feel more spiritually engaged, and I’ve been way more intentional about my time especially with my family in the evenings.

Last month, I shared about how God sets parameters, boundaries, and limits around our lives as a grace for our own protection and flourishing. Sometimes, these limits and boundary lines are set in place by God Himself unilaterally. But as I'm learning this month, there are times when God invites us to draw these boundary lines and set limits in cooperation with Him. I should add that none of this should feel forced in any way – for this could lead to the heavy yoke of legalism or asceticism. Remember, Jesus’ invitation to come under His yoke was never meant to feel heavy or burdensome but easy and light. (See Matt 11:28-30). And while we may not initially respond to these invitations with much expectation or jubilation, you will discover that God's grace always runs deeper in the places where He invites us to come.

So in reflection:

What do you sense is God's invitation for you in this season?
What are some areas where He may be asking you to set limits - so that you can experience greater fruitfulness and flourishing?
As you respond to God's invitation, what are you noticing? What feels different?

Prayer:

May you discern the quiet, gentle invitation of God for you in this season...
May you find grace in the places where He is asking you to set limits...
And May He delight you and even surprise you – as you draw nearer to Him.