You’ve got mail
Do you remember the movie "You've Got Mail"? It was a fun movie about sending and receiving email between two people. Every time the computer chimed, there was a new email waiting for a response. The more the emails went back and forth, the more the two people got to know each other.
This got me to thinking about how God sends an initial invite and then waits for a reply.
We see this in John 3:16. I know we all probably could quote this one, but did you ever think that God sent an invite through His Son, Jesus? And there is the hope of a response from us.
Until the email is opened up, it will remain "Unread" in your inbox.
Now maybe, I'm being silly with this analogy, but I think it can help us to see that God is not out of touch and that He's the one who originally starting texting and emailing us.
Yes, Jesus is the Word. This is found in:
John 1:1
In the beginning there was the Word [the Word already existed; The Word refers to Christ, God’s revelation of himself]. The Word was ·with [in the presence of; in intimate relationship with] God [the Father], and the Word was [fully] God.
What are words? they are texts from God to us. I love this, because I know that I have struggled with reading the Bible through the years. I thought it was a book I needed to read or should read, but then I started to see it as a message for me from Someone who loves me.
Some of the mail (scripture) I've opened through the years have been these:
1. He invites us into His family. John 3:16
2. He invites us to know Him. Phil 3:10
3. He invites us to rely on Him. I Cor. 1:9
4. He invites us to a true love relationship 2 John 1:16
5. He invites us to life everlasting John 12:50
You just start by opening the mail and reading. Pretty simple!
But let me be clear, just reading the Bible, doesn't give you connection to God. You first have to open up your heart (spirit) and respond in faith to the invite. God says that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and then we will be saved.
Once we receive the initial invite and respond, there is now a relationship established for emails to go back and forth. You can now send Him an invite and He can respond. Is this too simple? Isn’t this what pray looks like?
I start my day with "Thank you Father for your invitation to join you in another day". I then invite Him to direct the day and show me Himself more deeply.
A relationship is not a one-way street, it’s a continuous movement back and forth.
Taking this a little wider:
I volunteer at a little thrift store and I had an opportunity present itself to me this week. I thought it might be fun for you to see how we can also have mail to open with people through out a day, too.
(chime) You’ve God Mail
Yesterday a Christian woman I know, invited me to pray for someone she knew.
Email waiting (blinking)
I had an opportunity to open that invite or leave it unread.
I chose to open it (by listening). She began to share with me the content of the need. I listened as she shared her heart for a young man her church family is praying for.
My Response
I replied to her that I would be praying for him.
I then had a choice, pray or move on with my day. I chose to pray!
Just because you read an email from someone, doesn't mean relationship. There has to be a response to move things forward.
Invitations are calling for us to be apart of truly great gifts - The Kingdom of God has many benefits throughout our day.
My hope is that we are not just readers, let’s be receivers and responders.
Have a thankful season in Him,
Dayna
P.S. I’m going to share the prayer request with you that was shared with me, so you can join in this very serious situation.
A man in his 20’s, named Micah, was on a ladder a few days ago putting up Christmas lights and was electrocuted. He’s at a hospital in Omaha. He was spared his life only because he was on his tip toes on the ladder which kept the electrical current from going all the way through his body. He has 3rd degree burns on his hands and has undergone surgery to repair the skin. This young man is attending college to become a pastor. He’s in serious condition. I’m praying for a miracle and full recovery for him. Please add his wife to this prayer request. Thank you!