4 minute read
Red Carpet Ready
by DeAnn Alaine
You’re Invited!
I love being invited to anything! Teatime with girls, parties, an invitation to dinner or a baby shower… you get it. I also like the feeling of getting an envelope in the mail with an invitation inside, knowing it was picked on purpose and has qualities that match the person who mailed it, even down to the very themed stamp on the envelope. Remember the last time you sent or received an invite? That invitation was personally curated by the people hosting the event.
I like all manner of celebrations. Have I mentioned that I’m a sucker for wedding bubbles? I’ll give you this advice for free: launching party poppers at a celebration of life really leaves the wrong impression (I’ve never done that, but the thought of it is entertaining).
We are now in the season of Christmas; invites have been sent.
I think of the actual birth day of Jesus. God Almighty used TAXES to get Joseph and the very pregnant Mary to Bethlehem. How frustrating to have money for a room and not be able to get a room! So the couple received an invitation to give birth in a stable with animals and poo; with obviously no epidural or spa tub to give birth in.
And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child (Luke 2:1-5 KJV).
Let’s fast forward 30 years. Think about the “invitation” Jesus received to return to Judea to minister to the soon-to-be-dead Lazarus. Jesus was willing to literally walk through trouble to get to one of his best friends! But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” (John 11:8 NLT). Just to reiterate the danger to Jesus, here comes Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, saying to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too—and die with Jesus” (John 11: 16 NLT). I love that Jesus’ disciples were willing to go with Him even though they didn’t understand what was going on or what was going to occur!
But what about inviting someone into a situation that I’m walking through? What if I’m walking through trauma? Who’s really going to want an invitation to that party? Jesus really is that wonderful. In fact, He goes out of his way for you and me. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home (Luke 15:4-6 NIV).
What if what’s lost or misguided is an emotion that has gone haywire? Sadly, I know too many people who really struggle with issues of fear and anxiety, all for different reasons. But since the King of Glory raised Lazarus from the dead, don’t you think that Jesus, Jehovah Jireh, is willing to walk into your place of trouble to provide healing for emotional and mental theft?
YES, HE IS.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).
Perhaps Jesus is just waiting for an invitation. Stop right now and invite the Counselor into that area that has been troubling you. You don’t have to wonder what He’s going to think of you! He’s in love with you! Jesus is waiting for your messy, unkempt, and troubling invitation. He will reply to your invitation with a resounding “Yes!”
DeAnn Alaine is a comedienne whose mandate from the Lord is to bring joy to the world. She's a contributing author of Miracle Mindset and the creator/director of the multi-award winning sitcom, Fade Away. If you’d like to view the trailer or book DeAnn for your next ladies event, go to www.deannalaine.com
