The Invitation

Do you like to talk? I mean like either talk to complete strangers or talk to people you hardly know? Or, here's this for a higher degree of difficulty. I will say when you decide to talk, do you like to talk about Jesus? Well, for me I did get my BA in Communication so, I have been told I can talk, sometimes too much.  Before, I became a born again believer, I still liked to talk, but not so much about Jesus.  It was kind of like if I talked about Jesus and if my friends didn't like that then I was bound to lose friends.

After I invited Jesus to come live in my heart, the concern went from losing temporary friends to thinking if I wanted to see friends for eternity. Talking about Jesus was easy for me at first.  Kind of like when you have a first love.  It's like you wanna tell everyone you know how awesome He is. And, how he has helped my life tremendously. It was easy for me to talk about. I, of course wanted my loved ones to all go to Heaven!  As Christians, our job is to spread the good news! "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. " (‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18-20‬ CEVUK00)

It was different back then. I was what they call it, "on fire for Jesus."  I am not saying it's difficult now for me to talk about Jesus.  I guess I haven't had the opportunity.  Or have I?  Back before I knew Christ, it didn't hurt me if I knew hell was in the future for some people.  But, when I did know of Christ and what He said in his word, my mind sometimes gets flooded thinking of people who needed God so they wouldn't go to Hell. All we could do is relay the message to others.  We cannot force their decision. Just know you have done all you were called to do. And, God is cool with that!

I believe it was 3 or 4 years after I invited Christ to live in my heart I began talking with a friend who didn't know anything about Jesus.  I only knew him probably less than 2 years.  He was like my little brother.  And, yes this time it is a Facebook friend. :) His story was so cool! I cannot really remember all the details but I remember out of nowhere I felt like talking to my friend about Jesus, I was still healthy and stuff at the time  so I'm sure he was probably initially thinking why I was so into God. My friend was as far away from Jesus as you can be. I don't remember but I think he worshipped, Buddha. Anyway, I told him about Jesus and shared my life before I knew Jesus, how I came to know Jesus, and my life after knowing Him. I really didn't think he was listening.  Until one day, he calls me and shares with me how he almost died. And, he felt Jesus was tugging at his heart asking him to accept him. He said he believed in Jesus and that He died for him.  Praise God! I walked him through a prayer of inviting Jesus to live in his heart. Only, God knows if prayers of invitations are genuine. We might be really surprised when we get to Heaven.

It makes me think of the bible story when God was saying to Saul why is he forsaking him? Friends, I don't know and cannot even begin to tell you if or when you will accept Jesus.  But, my friend isn't the only one who felt Jesus calling him.  Just some months ago, I was asking a new believer how he came to know God.  And, he told me he came to visit my church and the sermon really got to him, and he felt like the sermon was for him, and he told me it's like somebody was tapping him on the shoulder. He is now a born again believer.  He accepted Christ in his life and he feels so different like a huge burden is lifted from his shoulder.  Wow, I'm definitely not trying to put fright in you.  But, will say that if God wants your attention he will get it somehow.

Acts 9:1-22New International Version (NIV)

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Revelation 3:20New International Version (NIV) 

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Post by Samantha Tongol Verdaguer.