Leaning Into God: You're Invited!
By Crystal Roseborough, Spiritual Formation Director
I was talking with a friend this week about how good it feels to be invited. There's this feeling that comes with an invitation. Feelings like, "Oh...they thought of ME?" "Wow...they actually want me there?" "I'm included in this?" "I get to go too?" It ushers in this beautiful sense of belonging. I don't know about you, but I want to belong.
However, sometimes when we're invited, we're oddly hesitant to go. Why is that? Do I feel insecure? Afraid? Does it require too much of me to actually get ready and be present? Am I just lazy? Who knows? BUT, once I power through the feelings that hold me back and I'm actually there…it feels SO GOOD! To receive an invitation does mean that I was thought of. It does mean, that indeed, yes...I'm included.
The truth is, you and I are invited to something every day. It may not be an invitation for a birthday party, or dinner gathering, but we are invited...to a feast. We are invited to a life of restored hope, restored relationships, better mental and spiritual health and a real place to belong and be known!
There's a story in Luke 14 about a great banquet. People were invited, but just like us, some of them didn't want to go. What was it that was holding them back that day? Why did they decide not to attend? Were they focused on too many other things? Whatever the reason, they missed out on a great time and a great meal!
That's how it is with spiritual transformation. I'm invited to a life where I can say:
A favorite verse over the last year has been Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will. (emphasis added by me)
Sign me up for that! I want to know God's will--His good, pleasing and perfect will! And can I add to that some peace and hope and a better attitude? And while we're at it, I'll also take some new perspective and good discernment, please! After all, we really do want to experience life differently. The gospel is so much more than simply getting into heaven when we die.
But, how do we transform? How do we even begin?
We accept the invitation and go to the party! As we create good rhythms in our day to attach to the One who brings the renewal, our perspective changes. We find a new hunger to be immersed in truth and what IS RIGHT in the world. We see things from a different vantage point, the vantage point of God's BIG story, not just what is happening here today, but the story that He knows from beginning to end.
We are inviting you! Beginning Sunday, January 31, Desert Vineyard will be offering tangible ways for us to enter into this transformation! Our new sermon series will be SPIRITUAL PRACTICES FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE. A booklet has been prepared for you as you begin. You can pick one up at our 11:00 in person services or download it right here, where you can also join a group. Or, perhaps you could pass along the invitation and gather those in your home (or covid bubble) to study together. Staci Rue, our Groups Pastor, would love to help you get started.
As anyone learning a new skill knows, it's the practice that allows the skill to become natural. And then...it gets really fun because it's simply a part of who we are!
Transformation? Thanks for the Invite...I think I'll come!
However, sometimes when we're invited, we're oddly hesitant to go. Why is that? Do I feel insecure? Afraid? Does it require too much of me to actually get ready and be present? Am I just lazy? Who knows? BUT, once I power through the feelings that hold me back and I'm actually there…it feels SO GOOD! To receive an invitation does mean that I was thought of. It does mean, that indeed, yes...I'm included.
The truth is, you and I are invited to something every day. It may not be an invitation for a birthday party, or dinner gathering, but we are invited...to a feast. We are invited to a life of restored hope, restored relationships, better mental and spiritual health and a real place to belong and be known!
There's a story in Luke 14 about a great banquet. People were invited, but just like us, some of them didn't want to go. What was it that was holding them back that day? Why did they decide not to attend? Were they focused on too many other things? Whatever the reason, they missed out on a great time and a great meal!
That's how it is with spiritual transformation. I'm invited to a life where I can say:
"This is my life. This is what it's like to be all the way here now, rather than always longing for something else. This is my life as it is meant to be lived in God!"
--Ruth Haley Barton
A favorite verse over the last year has been Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will. (emphasis added by me)
Sign me up for that! I want to know God's will--His good, pleasing and perfect will! And can I add to that some peace and hope and a better attitude? And while we're at it, I'll also take some new perspective and good discernment, please! After all, we really do want to experience life differently. The gospel is so much more than simply getting into heaven when we die.
But, how do we transform? How do we even begin?
- First, we decide we want to!
- We talk to God about our desire and why we want this new change.
- We seek out new ways to connect with God.
- We take the small steps each day that lead to natural transformation.
We accept the invitation and go to the party! As we create good rhythms in our day to attach to the One who brings the renewal, our perspective changes. We find a new hunger to be immersed in truth and what IS RIGHT in the world. We see things from a different vantage point, the vantage point of God's BIG story, not just what is happening here today, but the story that He knows from beginning to end.
"Authentic transformation is possible if we are willing to do one thing—that is to arrange our lives around the kind of practices and life Jesus led, to be constantly receiving power and love from the Father."
--Dallas Willard
We are inviting you! Beginning Sunday, January 31, Desert Vineyard will be offering tangible ways for us to enter into this transformation! Our new sermon series will be SPIRITUAL PRACTICES FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE. A booklet has been prepared for you as you begin. You can pick one up at our 11:00 in person services or download it right here, where you can also join a group. Or, perhaps you could pass along the invitation and gather those in your home (or covid bubble) to study together. Staci Rue, our Groups Pastor, would love to help you get started.
As anyone learning a new skill knows, it's the practice that allows the skill to become natural. And then...it gets really fun because it's simply a part of who we are!
Transformation? Thanks for the Invite...I think I'll come!
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