3rd quarter of 16th century (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is possible to learn much about God’s invitation and never respond to it personally. Even so, His invitation is clear and nonnegotiable. In the book of Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus makes a very generous offer that is hard to resist. However, many of us turn our backs and walk away.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

He is very specific in what He asks and equally clear in what He offers. The choice is up to you. He gives you all, and you give Him all. He requires nothing more or nothing less.

Isn’t it amazing that God leaves the choice to you? Let’ think about it for a minute….There are many things in life you cannot choose. You cannot, for example,  choose the weather. You cannot control the economy and you cannot choose whether you are fitted with big nose or small ears or a lot of hair. You cannot even choose how people respond to you.

However, when it comes to life after death, you are given a choice. You can choose where you want to spend eternity–heaven or hell. God leaves the big choice and the crucial decision to you. The ball is in your court and you are free to do whatever you want with it.

No doubt you have made some bad decisions in life. You may have chosen to skip college to hang with the boys. You may have chosen the wrong career or even an incompatible spouse. Now your past is haunting you, and you wish you could turn back the hand of time. You wish you had a chance to make up for the bad decisions you have made during the past.

God has provided a way out for you. He wants you to know that it doesn’t matter how tattered your past has been, with Him your future is spotless. One good decision for eternity offsets a million bad ones on earth. The choice is yours.

What are you doing with God’s invitation? You can either accept it, or reject it.