Jesus Invites

This morning I read that verse in the Bible again.

The one about loving and forgiving each other.

Isn’t it something that Jesus loves us and forgives us and invites us to be like Him?

He is always inviting us.

One thing I know about Jesus is that He can handle who we are.

He can handle our questions and fears and sins and mess and shame.

When He invites us He isn’t just inviting our good parts.

He doesn’t want us to check our baggage at the door, but He waves us inside.

He invites us away from the world and into His presence.

He calls our name and pats the seat next to Him for us to sit.

He kneels to the floor and washes our feet.

He breaks bread and puts it on our plate.

He pours wine into our cup.

He forgives our sins.

He doesn’t hand us a bag of cash.

He doesn’t heal our every wound.

He doesn’t answer every question with a straight answer.

He tells a story and reminds us we are part of His story.

He invites our dying bodies close to remind us life is more than what the world has to offer.

He tells us about His Kingdom and how it will have no end.

He reminds us that all things will be made new and smiles when He says the word, “restoration.”

He invites us to believe that we are not forgotten and that good is on the way.

If you look in His eyes you’ll see He means what He says and what He says is true.

He is not bluffing.

Jesus isn’t trying to scam you.

He won’t bill you for His time or charge you for the bread and wine.

He won’t try to sell you something extra.

That’s not who Jesus is.

Jesus invites.

And He will invite you to wait and to trust, but tells us He is there with us.

He is with us in the waiting.

He is holding us as we trust.

He is with us as we love and as we forgive and as we invite others.

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.