One word changed the idea of spiritual practices forever.
The simple word invitation.
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun wrote the beautiful yet profound book Invitations from God.
In it she writes, “Some invitations we desperately want: ‘Will you marry me?’ ‘Would you consider a promotion?’ Other invitations we never want to receive but must respond to all the same: ‘What treatment do you want for your tumor?’ Invitations pound away at the coastlines of the soul with a transforming force. God is also sending invitations. Sometimes they seem less compelling than anything on my to-do list. Why would I want to say yes to the invitation to rest when I’m already so far behind? Why follow when I could lead? Why accept invitations to weep or to admit I am wrong or to wait? Saying yes might slow me down, sabotage my agenda and even undo who I think I am.”
A light switch went off in me when I saw the things of my daily life not only through the lens of blessing or curse, but through invitation as well. Whatever was coming at me was also a way God was at work in me. He was inviting me with what I say ‘yes’ to and what I say ‘no’ to. By seeing the normal parts of my life (both the good, bad, and ugly) as an invitation helped me root this part of spiritual discipline in my life.
I love this book so much I contacted Adele and she graciously emailed responses to my questions so that we could get a sense of how this practice came to be, how to pay attention to invitations, and how this practice can form us.
Thank you Adele for being with us today! You know how much this book has meant to me and others I’ve shared it with. I love hearing some of the back story of a book. Where did the idea of invitations come from?
The idea came as I watched people struggle over saying “yes” to so many invitations that they lost their way and they lost their ability to respond to God’s invitations — which can be quieter and less culturally acceptable. Invitations is a word I like because it reflects God’s countenance towards us at all times.
I am taken with the cover! It’s one of my top favorite covers of all times, especially the wax seal. What is the story behind the cover?
The brilliant cover is the work of the IVP graphic artist. And I can take no credit for it. But I love it too. I love the person under the tree — alone and waiting — for what– an invitation
Some invitations are louder than others. How can someone recognize a quiet invitation?
Quiet invitations may bang us over the head with sickness or accident. As we mend we have opportunities to let go of all that clutters — and as we listen we may hear and feel the desire rise in us for silence, or prayer or ??? Sometimes quiet invitations sneak up on us in the form of someone who has a spiritual practice that we want. We see the results of prayer in a person’s life. We see what it looks like to be really loved. And we say — I want that. How can I enter in and become a different kind of person. I believe God’s invitations surround us — and as we respond we will find more and more.
How has the idea of invitation helped form you spiritually?
Invitations changed my center of gravity from “never doing enough” to “what is God calling me to at this moment in time.” God knows our limits and our desires. And God intends us to know them as well. God’s invitations suit both our limits and our desires. They invite us into closer contact with the Holy One. Invitations remind me of my belovedness. I am wanted, included, and have a purpose in God’s heart and desires.
Do you think the idea of invitation can go both ways with God? If so, how can we offer invitations to God?
In a relationship that is growing invitations go both ways. I invite you to dinner. You invite me for a walk. God invites us to follow, to pray, to love, to forgive, etc. And we invite God into our anger, pain, joy and confusion. God invites us into the Divine Heart. We invite God into our human heart. We share in one another’s pain and joy. God’s delight is my delight. My delight is God’s delight. The same is true with our pain.
We are a community who live sprinkled around the world. We hope to be used to extend invitations to others, both for the eternal and for this life’s journeying together. What have you learned about invitations that may help us?
In Invitations From God I have tried to narrow in on the invitations that have been central to my own journey with God. I believe that if we said “YES” to these biblical invitations we would become the change we want to see in the world. It would begin with internal shifts in my own heart that impacted the way I was with others. Imagine how saying “yes” to forgiveness could change our world? It starts with little things and moves to larger arenas. But it is always a matter of saying “yes” to God.
Choose an invitation and be intentional about it for a month. What do you notice begins to shift in you and your world. Then share what is happening in you.
What have you been invited into recently?
I have been invited to let go of “what is next.” I am 65 and I don’t know how much longer my husband and I will be the “best” co-pastors for our church. But at 65 where do you go next? I am being invited to let go clear next steps and lean into trust that God will be with me in tomorrow no matter what is next. This letting go is part of preparing me for the many letting gos that lie ahead. I want to say “yes” God you are with me now and then.
Adele, thanks to you, I want to see invitations as spiritual practices instead of mere events.
What do you think of the spiritual practice and language of invitations? What have you been invited into recently?
P.S. My friend’s surgery was a success and she got out of the hospital today. Prayers for the healing process are welcome. If you saw the Beijing Olympics in 2008, I can see the Water Cube between a few building — which also means the airs not bad! :)
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This post first appeared on Velvet Ashes during the week looking at Spiritual Practices.
Amy
Very interesting. I shall ponder on these thoughts. I know I have not viewed things in my life as invitations. Opportunities but not invitations. I wonder about the ones I have missed.
It is hard to think that God would value an invitation from me.
Mark, I’d value an invitation from you and I am but a poor reflection of the True Image :) … so I can only image how much God would enjoy an invitation from you. :)!
I am glad things have gone well with your friend. I know she must value highly that you said yes to the invitation to go be with her. :)
Thanks Mark! Now we are both being invited into the slow (and boring) part of slow healing. I keep reminding myself this is an invitation :). Helpful to see it as that and not something to merely be borne.
Thank you for sharing Amy…and especially for the personal update at the end. Understood. :)
I know there are many praying! Keep it up :) … and thanks fellow Amy!
Amy,
I am so thankful for the reminder of this way of looking at some of life’s situations. I am going to talk to your precious Niece #2 about this year with her difficult teacher as an invitation….an invitation from God to grow in grace towards difficult others and to grow in strength of knowing that she Rocks because of who God made her, even if she’s not hearing that message from a primary source of influence. I am praying that that reframes BOTH of our attitudes about it.
This just makes me happy sad. Sad happy. I wish she could be spared not being fully LOVED and celebrated — forever!!! But, sadly, she can’t. I think we’re all being invited not to think nasty thoughts more than we should :)!
Ok Amy
I laughed here…. so from your comment I am drawing a conclusion that a certain amount of nasty thoughts are ok! :)
On a serious note it is so hard sometimes to be aware of someone we love going through that which they needlessly should not have too. We are often not in a position to change it for them but it does present an invitation to grow in ways you would never choose. The encouragement to your niece is if she learns to handle this as a young lady then going forward in life it will help her I am sure with others.
Great interview. and the idea of waiting on God helps me be attune to his invite — to be willing to say yes. Instead, I barge in with my plan and expect Him to sign off on it.