I once saw my neighbors walking by my house carrying a casserole dish and a few other items of a dinner at another neighbor’s house. I remember, that would be nice to join those two nice families.  The problem was, I wasn’t invited.  After all, as a grown man, it would have been very awkward to ask, “Can we come to?”  Inviting ourselves is rather awkward.  Not much later, the same neighbors who walked by invited my family to a celebration at their house.  We eagerly joined the gathering.

An invitation extends a warm welcome. It includes someone who otherwise feels shut out.  It makes a statement that someone matters.  Sure, not all invitations are accepted.  But even one isn’t accepted, at least it expresses to someone that you cared enough to include them.

 “Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.” Jesus  (Matthew 22:3; NLT)