Dear First Pres,
Never underestimate the power of a simple, heartfelt invitation.
Can you think of a simple, heartfelt invitation that changed your life?
In the summer of 1993 I was trying to figure out where to continue my college swimming career. I’d spent the previous year swimming for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, at the end of the season, the Men’s Swim team was discontinued (yeah, that hurt). I had sent letters to college swim coaches all over the country that garnered some interest, but in the end I was leaning toward staying close to home: Fresno State University. Then, one day in July, my mom pressed me, “Jeremy, we need to get this figured out. School starts next month.” “You’re right,” I responded. “I’m going to Fresno State, unless something really weird happens.”
Well, while I was still sitting at the table with Mom, the phone rang. It was the head coach of the University of Nebraska swim team on the line. I’d been in some communication with one of the assistants, but I’d never spoken to the head coach. He asked about my process. I shared with him the same words I shared with my mom. And he responded with a simple, heartfelt invitation. “Jeremy, before you make your final decision, I’d love to host you for a weekend here in Lincoln. Would you be willing to come out and see what the University of Nebraska has to offer?” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Never underestimate the power of a simple, heartfelt invitation. That invitation from Coach Bentz opened the door to a whole new chapter in my life.
But much more significantly, as I think about people in our congregation, I am mindful of the stories of invitations that have changed lives eternally. I remember the way that Devon invited Emily to youth group. I remember the way that Lori invited Melissa to church. I remember the way that Mindy invited Jamie to come to the college retreat. I remember the way that Melanie invited Yutong, Diane invited Denise, and Janelle invited Torsten.
There are so many stories in our congregation of the way that God used a simple, heartfelt invitation to change lives forever. You just never know how the Lord will use the seemingly insignificant act of an invitation.
So, I invite you to prayerfully consider who you might invite to worship with us this Christmas. And then, courageously and confidently and humbly extend a simple, heartfelt invitation.
Never underestimate the power of a simple, heartfelt invitation.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
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