Come as you Are
 

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. Matthew 11:28-29

After a wonderful weekend of watching so many royal events for the Queens Platinum Jubilee, it amazes me even more how our King Jesus doesn’t expect us to stand on ceremony in His presence.

All the pomp and ceremony that our earthly Kings and Queens command can be quite awe-inspiring and something special to be a part of and it all has its place. However, as I was curled up on the sofa watching events unfold in my pj’s and scruffy hair, I was chatting with God and asking him what he thought about it all! As I watched the Queen, stood at a distance waving to her people from the balcony, separated by gates and guards I realised I had an immediate audience with God and I was in His presence without any special costume or ceremony. How wonderful it is that Jesus has torn down all the barriers between us and Him!

 ‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.’ Ephesians 2:13

No wonder we can take so long to bring our true selves to Him when we have been taught from a young age to keep a respectable distance from royalty and learn all sorts of complicated protocol if we are ever fortunate enough to have a close encounter.   Jesus invites us to come to him just as we are, to present ourselves warts and all. He doesn’t expect us to put on our best clothes and our best smiles - he is just so overjoyed that we come to him.  

Let’s remember to keep accepting His invitation, to bring our weariness and burdens and rest in him. Let’s learn from our humble King, work alongside Him and learn His ways.

Let’s pray: Thank you Jesus that you welcome us into your presence just as we are, that you loved us so much that you made it possible for us to be in your presence and you long for us to accept your invitation. Amen