He Invited Himself to Dinner by Janet Perez Eckles

"Hey friend," I said on the phone. I love it when I don't have to introduce myself because certain friends who are close know my voice.



"Whatcha doing?" she asked.



"Just relaxing for a while as I do every Sunday afternoon," I said.



"You want some company?"



I would never, never turn down a friend who wants to visit with me. What a delight, what joy. Those moments are thrills of life that add color to our world.



My friend, who lives a few doors down, walked in my backyard. I moved over on the lounge chair for her to sit beside me. She settled in. We chatted, laughed and planned.



Sort of what Jesus wants us to do—have the time available for Him to sit beside us. To hear what's in our heart. For us to pour the painful details that sear. And to let us know His plans for the journey.



That's what Jesus wants. But it's not easy to comply. We're too busy. And rather than be still, spending sweet moments with Him, we observe Him from a distance like Zacchaeus did. He climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus because he was short in stature.



And we are, too. We live in a complicated, busy world, so although we're not short in stature, we're short in time. Short in commitment to His call. Short in desire. And oh very short to realize our need to be in His sweet presence.



But fueled by His boundless love, Jesus still calls us as He did with Zacchaeus. "When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly" (Luke 11:5-6).



Father, your invitation through your Son Jesus is clear, but I confess I've not stopped my hurried life enough to accept it. Grant me a heart that will spend time to sit by Him as He's my best companion, my best listener, my best counselor and divine friend. Amen.



• Who is your best friend these days?

• What does Jesus offer that most friends on earth don't?

• How does His Word bring answers to your difficulties and your heartache, and who loves you beyond the secrets no one knows?



Janet

www.janetperezeckles.com



Friends, if you enjoy any of my writings, you will love, love my new book, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God's Fiesta, to be released by Judson Press in August 2011.

In the meantime, get a cup of café con leche and get comfortable. Here are three ways to escape from that crazy world out there:



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