I sit and think of the times Jesus said, "Come!" to people. Then I am trying to remember all that was wrapped up in each invitation that is still being said to me today.
Two of John's disciples ask Jesus where he is staying, and Jesus answered, "Come and see." (John 1:39). I have sen a lot of things since the first time my heart was ambushed by the love of Jesus and I dedicated myself to following him. When I am walking close with Jesus, there are a number of things I see. Jesus has a way of showing me things around me that I simply don't recognize when I am not near to him in connection. I also remember Phillip asking Jesus to "show us the Father," and I wonder if there is anything I would like Jesus to show me today.
To each of his own disciples, Jesus said, "Come, follow me." What has following Jesus really done for me over these years?
I am not particularly concerned with what it has done FOR ME, but I do know that life has been entirely different. The people I have come to know and walk with have been very different than it may have been if I had not followed Jesus. It has given me opportunities to impact the lives of others in ways I have never deserved or could have orchestrated on my own. Following Jesus has developed a great deal of development in my own heart and mind that would not have happened apart from him.
Jesus said to the fishermen, "Come and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt. 4:19) I can only hope I have inspired others or that I have somehow brought goodness, purpose, and hope out of the people where they might not have seen it in themselves.
I can only hope I inspired faith when they were fearful, peace when they were in pain, challenge when they were indifferent. I can only hope that there have been people so weighed down by life's troubles until, because I stepped in at the right time, they heard an invitation to something entirely different.
Jesus also said, "Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28). Over and over again, my frantic mind and heart has found this to be true 100% of the time. I can attest that when my life vibrates out of my control, Jesus has always been somethings stable and solid for me to hold on to.
Also, "All of you who are thirsty, come to me and drink." (John7:37) I sit here and wonder just how thirsty am I today? Am I thirsty enough to stay close and come to Jesus once more today?
