The invitation of the Father is far beyond the response of the world, the great gift of the eternal God, mocked as tale by sightless men. Great is the grief poured forth by heaven, known from the beginning, but heavy in fulfillment. Most are lost to foolish trade. There is great joy for those who respond to the drawing, and bow with repentant heart for the rebuilding. These are the wise of great fortune, exchanging death for life, distance for embrace. These trade worldly much, but for much more than the world. Great is the Father’s pain for those who will not release the rubble, hence cannot grasp the treasure, the invite lost for empty reasons. The eyes are chosen shut, not for the greatness of the light presented, but for the love of their own darkness. Their hearts hard to truth, with a mocking tongue they shield and in haste they answer to deflect, that they again can return to the cold comfort of the shadowed place. Rejoice that you have shed the excuse and received.
Luke 14:18-20 (ESV) – But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
Bottom Line: As a believer in the workplace, we mingle daily with many who have heard the Good News, but for a myriad of reasons, have rejected God’s invitation (thus far). They are too satisfied with what they have, to consider the unbelievable gift God is offering. It is sad for them, for us, and even more sad for our loving Father.
C.S. Lewis described it like this: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Praise God we have heard and accepted His invitation. Pray for those around you, that they would drop their excuses, and follow Him.
