God’s Invitation: A Friendship Awaits!
In last week’s Talking Tip, I wrote about John Gottman’s idea that we make “bids” to each other to start a conversation. To the degree they are noticed and appreciated, a healthy and helpful conversation ensues.
This week I have been thinking of another kind of bid…
In life, we make horizontal bids to those around us, but we also have the opportunity to make vertical bids – to begin a conversation with God. Even more amazing, He makes bids to start conversations with us!
This morning on a walk God reminded me of that very thing. I am not quite sure how to explain it, but I felt this nudging inside me, like a desire whelming up to start talking to God. I believe the nudging was Him calling out to me – making a bid – to start a dialogue. Imagine that – the Creator of the world wanted to have conversation with me! He wants to dialogue with you too! So I started talking. He and I had a conversation.
Toward the end of my walk, I sat on a park bench, and as I did, this phrase came to mind: “I am your friend, not your foe!” God was making another bid! It reminded me of what Jesus said to His disciples: “I call you my friends.”
Ok STOP.
Think about this: God wants to be our friend AND He wants to have conversation with us!
Whew! When you do STOP and THINK ABOUT it – that is mind blowing!
The God of the universe wants to be your friend and mine, and He wants to converse with us!
I know that not everyone who gets these emails are followers of Jesus. I hope when I talk about Him that it doesn’t turn you off. Rather, my hope would be that it intrigues you, or even more so, that the nudge inside you grows to the point where you too, just might start talking to Him.
Over the next few weeks, I am going to write more about talking to God and the impact it has on our relationships. I hope you keep reading!
For now, when you feel the nudge, consider looking up and start a dialogue!
God’s Invitation: A Friendship Awaits!
Mark Oelze
Author/Creator of PLEDGEtalk
Learn more at PLEDGEtalk.com!
