Invitations vs. Orders

Sometimes commandments and covenants seem like orders that we have to obey, with long lists of things to remember and just try not to mess up (but mistakes inevitably happen), and we feel like we're constantly falling short.

But what if these commandments and covenants are actually invitations? 

Let's use an analogy. You know I love those. ;) 

Before I begin, I want to define my perspective. I believe in God as a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to return to Him. I also believe in a loving Heavenly Mother who is with Him and perfectly united in purpose. I believe we are their spirit children, here on Earth to gain bodies and learn and grow so we can eventually become like Them and enjoy all that They have. You can learn more about this perspective at churchofjesuschrist.org

Our loving God enjoys the grandest views and the most incredible experiences -- more glorious than we can even comprehend with our mortal minds. He gives us invitations to enjoy these views and experiences with Them -- kind of like a big exciting vacation.

We can accept or decline those invitations, based on our desire and availability. If we have other plans or don't want to go, we don't have to. God will never force us to accept. He loves us too much. Plus, how much would we enjoy the experience if we were forced to be there? As a wise and loving parent, He patiently waits, hopeful that we will accept. 

But accepting is just the first step. 

After we RSVP, we have to take action. We check the weather forecasts and make sure we have what we need. We might have to go out and buy new gear or supplies. We have to put it all into suitcases, load the car, lock the house, and leave our current location. 

Does this come by force? Does God pull up in our driveway, barge into our house, and drag us out the door to shove us into the car? 

No. He loves us too much. He has invited  us, not ordered us to join Him.

We want to do these things, in order to fully enjoy what He's inviting us to do.

Our Heavenly Father wants and hopes that we will do what is required to fully enjoy what He has invited us to do. When we do, He delights in our progress. He doesn't sit there, arms folded, rolling His eyes and wondering what's taking us so long. To the contrary, He's excited for even the tiniest step we take because He knows that taking these steps are bringing us -- yes, toward Him -- but also toward the most glorious things we could ever experience, far beyond anything we can imagine.

Does He expect us to do any of this on our own?
No. He loves us too much.

Our loving Heavenly Father wants us to succeed so much that He has sent someone who has already completed the journey -- our elder Brother and Savior -- to not only be there with us, but to book our ticket (if we'll let Him), pay for the new gear (if we'll let Him), and show us the way (if we let Him), because He's been there and knows firsthand. 

He has also sent the Holy Ghost, to comfort us, guide us, and assure us through every step that our efforts are well worth the temporary sacrifice of commitment and action. 

This is the perfect support team. If we take a wrong turn, they gently help us get back on course. If we get a flat tire, they help us change it. If we lose our boarding pass, they help us get a new one. Or if we miss our flight, they help us get on another one soon after. They even give us maps, road signs, and the GPS coordinates we need to navigate to.

From the outside looking in, one might see all of these things and think, "How restrictive, to not let her go where she wants." They see us rushing around, buying new things, or making unusual arrangements and wonder what kind of God would make us do these things, when life is hard enough and busy enough as it is. They see us hurry to the airport and pity us for having to answer all of these demands not being able to rest leisurely on the front porch and just enjoy the view.

But they're not demands. They're invitations and supporting directions. What the outside perspective doesn't show is that we are working and moving toward something bigger. We are striving for something even better than what we enjoy today.

From the outside looking in, some might watch us follow Jesus and think, "How sad that they can't just think for themselves and do what they want." What they may not see is that we actually are thinking for ourselves in choosing to accept His example because of what He sees. We have to because all we have are mortal lenses that show us what is true here and now. He helps us see far beyond our current capability. So maybe in a way they're right: we actually can't think in His way on our own. We are doing what we want, because we know in following Him we have access to His experience and His telescopic lens that shows us a glimpse of where we're headed and reminds us that this is an invitation, not an order. 

Without that lens, we might forget why we're doing all of this work and adopt the "orders" mindset. If we focus only on the "to do's" to get ready and don't actually get on the plane, we see the list and directions as orders rather than invitations and eventually become exhausted. Let's be honest -- the doing isn't always fun. Sometimes it's a pain. There's traffic, bad weather, and spills on aisle 3. Eventually, we stop because why the heck would we want to continue with drudgery? Nah. Pass. Not worth it. Through our mortal lenses, it doesn't make sense. 

Through the lens, we see that the work and sacrifice have a purpose -- not only for ourselves, but for people around us. We notice the people around us and find joy in the connections we create along the way: the infectious giggle from the toddler across the aisle we make funny faces at. The older couple walking hand-in-hand who just got some hard news but finds comfort in a simple smile from a stranger. The woman we strike up a conversation with, who needs to hear exactly what we have to say. 

That's how God works. The invitations always come loaded with enough joy and blessings for all involved, even if we don't accept them perfectly. In partnership with our Savior and the Holy Ghost, we co-create an absolutely breathtaking testimony of God and this beautiful work. 

It's much easier (and much more fun) to accept invitations rather than take orders. It's all about the lens we choose to look through, and our willingness to take courageous action with faith. 

But we get to choose. He loves us that much.