Come, Without Price.

"Come to Me. Come to Me. Come to Me. This is My continual invitation to you, proclaimed in holy whispers." ~Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, 234

These are the opening words from today's entry in a devotional a friend passed on to me. This was inspired by Revelation 22:17 "The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And the let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water without price." This was God's gentle beckon to me this morning, His whisper to each of us. There is a measure of weariness, of trial, of struggle in each of our lives. God's answer is the same, "Come." 

"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, 

and to which God has called him."  1 Corinthians 7:17

Whether the path is thick with fallen trees and thistles or fragrant with dew resting on soft, cool moss, this is the life the Lord has assigned, the life to which He has called. It's easy to wonder why or what we did to cause the trials of this life, to take the full credit for our success. It's not about that. We should be faithful and are held accountable for our actions, but God has assigned and called us each of us to our own path, to it's beauty and challenge. What are we do to? Come. 

"Oh, how abundant is your goodness, 

which you have stored up for those who fear you 

and worked for those who take refuge in you, 

in this sight of the children of mankind! 

 In the cover of your presence you hide them." 

 Ps 31:19-20

Over the last couple of weeks, it's been harder to get time with my Bible, to sit in the presence of the Lord. I've struggled to hold to the goodness of the Lord. My refuge has been sought out amongst circumstances. God reminded me to come, to see his ABUNDANT goodness. I will see that goodness stored up for ME when I hide myself in God's presence, to take my refuge in Him. It is there, always...

"Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; WHOEVER comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me & yet do not believe. But I said to you that you have seen me & yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will NEVER cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.'"  

John 6:35-40

This life will be weary, it will have beauty. He will never cast us out, Jesus has come to do the Father's will...to lose nothing, to raise it up. Today I was encouraged that no matter how awful this assignment may be and even in the weariness of daily life before cancer, God has called us to it. He does not leave any of us alone, His refuge is ever waiting to cover us secure and He will NEVER cast out. Today, and when Esther's journey is complete, and when these days are finished, I will come. There is no price, it is not mine to pay. There is no need to earn a spot in His abundant goodness. Christ paid the price so I can come. He bids us, "Come."

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