Go out and invite them

"'Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full." Luke 14:23 NIV

As I walked slowly down the race chute of the “L & M MARRYTHON” with my father last Friday night, surrounded by dozens of friends, family, and fellow runners I had to smile as I held back tears. “Oh, thank you Jesus. Thank you. You have been so very, very good to me. I am beyond blessed to be marrying my best friend and the one whom my soul loves today. This is a wedding better than I ever could have imagined, made so much sweeter because it's to a man who loves me the way You have called men to love their wives." But you can be sure the wedding celebration didn't end after he and I said, "I do." A great majority of those people who came out to witness this epic event joined us for the intimate reception that followed—where there was fun to be had by all, and where my beloved and I shared our very first slow dance to a song that he and I agreed most certainly was written for just the two of us. Can you believe that all of this fanfare was the result of a few simple social media invitations? But that's the power a sincere invitation has right? 

And you know, when it comes to sincerely inviting someone to do something, the Bible tells us that you and I are called to "Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in..." Do you get that? It's our job to "go out" in whatever way we can—social media, podcast, canvassing the street, local outreach, street preaching, food pantry, celebrate recovery groups, blog, etc.—to everywhere we can, on every occasion we have (that includes your own wedding or workplace), to share the invitation to everyone we possibly can to accept Jesus in such a way that people will be compelled to do it before it's too late. 

So use "every occasion" that you have to lead others to the foot of the Cross my friend. And don't be afraid to do something a little crazy and outside-of-the-box to do it either. Our crazy running themed wedding was indeed different, but you can be sure that all those in attendance, at the wedding or at the Bad Dawg Ultra race that followed, heard about Jesus Christ in one way or another. 

Heavenly Father, for reminding us that we are to use every opportunity and every means to compel people to follow You. Lord, help us to boldly go out to where we are called, so we can compel the lost to seek You so that heaven would be full. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.  

Happy Running!!!

Bad Dawg Ultra