An invitation

i finished the book =) (Captivating by Stasi and John Eldredge)

may these excerpts bless you:

the story of CInderella turns upon an invitation. Up until the moment that the courier from the Palace arrives at her door, Cinderella's life seems set in stone. She will always be a washerwoman, a cellar girl. Her enemies will forever have the upper hand. She will live a life of enduring disappointments, though she will suffer them nobly. No other life seems possible. This is her fate. Then, word from the Prince arrives - an invitation to the Ball. Her longings are awakened. Her enemies become enraged. And her life is never the same again.

How gracious that i comes by invitation. As a woman, you don't need to strive or arrange, you don't need to make it happen. You only need to respond. Granted - Cinderella's response took immense courage, courage that came only out of a deep desire to find the life her heart knew it was meant for.

God's invitations ultimately matters of the heart. They come through our passions, those desires set deep within us. As God restores your heart and sets you free, you will recover long-lost passions, long-forsaken dreams. You'll find yourself drawn to some vision for making the world a better place. They are invitations to bring your heart to your Lover and ask him to clarify, to deepen, to speak to you about how and when and with whom.

Do not give way to fear. (1 peter 3:6)

Jesus entrusted himself to God, regardless of the response (of the people).

God asks us to be vulnerable. He invites us to share and give in our weaknesses. He wants us to offer the beauty that He has given us even when we are keenly aware that it is not all that we wish it were. He wants us to trust Him.

In Anna and the King, the King throws a feast for the British, and involves Anna heavily in the preparation. When the feast is over and it comes time for the first dance, the king stands and extens his hand to Anna. He invites her to dance with him. He fixes his gaze upon her and is distracted by nothing and no one else. He waits for her response.

She is clearly surprised, taken aback, but has the grace to respond and stand. As they walk past the long table, the king's eyes never stray from her's. Others are upset that he has chosen her. Some watch with contempt, others with pleasure. It is of no consequence to the king or to Anna.

Anna is beautiful in a striking gown. She spent hours getting herself ready. She came to the ball prepared. As they reach the dance floor, however, Anna expresses her fear of dancing with the king before the eyes of others. "We wouldn't want to end up in a heap," she says.

His answer to her questioning heart? "I am King. I will lead."

Jesus is extending his hand to you. He is inviting you to dance with him. He asks. "May I have this dance.. every day of your life?" His gaze is fixed on you. He is captivated by your beauty. He is smiling. He cares nothing of the opinion of others. He is standing. He will lead. He waits for your response.