The Invitation

On one occasion a dad tried to stop a couple of boys who were running in the auditorium after church services. The words from one boy were sharp, yet true; disrespectful, but undeniable. Offering only a quick glance as he slowed down, not stopping, one of the boys quipped, “I don’t have to do what you say; you’re not my dad.”

The dad reflected on his own generation. When he was young He would have stopped. He would have shown respect. He would have stopped and answered with humility, “Yes, sir.” He would have at least recognized that the man was like his dad.

The dad stood looking on in silent thought as the two boys ran on.
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On one occasion God sent his son to earth. Everyone was busy, running all over the place. The son explained the ways of his Father. Some quit running around and stopped and listened and followed. The son sat and ate with those people and taught them and invited them to come home with him to his Father.

Others offered only a quick glance as they slowed down, not really stopping, not really listening, but only a quick, “I don’t have to do what you say….”

In time, the Son went home…

     His invitation still extended…

          He said he would visit once again…

               But only to take his followers home.

                    His followers recognize that the

                         Son is just like the Father.
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To a group of unbelievers Jesus, the Son, once said:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

—John 10:27-30

Most who read this have stopped and listened and followed. Yet the path is challenging. A follower must never exchange Jesus for a decoy, must resist copycats and deceivers.

Even followers can forget how to slow down and listen. Don’t let the business of life and children and grandchildren and holidays get in the way of Jesus. The risk? Adopting a different father of your own making.

Jesus is the exact representation of God, our Father. Let’s keep our focus.

And for anyone reading this who does not follow Jesus, who is your father? We all listen to someone. We all stop for something. We all follow someone or something, even if it is oneself.

As for Jesus...the invitation to follow is still extended…

Mark Stinnett

November 9, 2025