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“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the
Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is
my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT)
In May 2017, I found myself at church. To be honest, this was a place I hadn’t been in a very, very long time. I wish I could tell you that I’ve always had a relationship with the Lord - that I know the Bible like the back of my hand - but the truth is: He and I just became best friends within the last year.
Every day, I am growing to know Him. In turn, I am learning who I am, and who I am meant to be.
I grew up in a Christian household. We went to church every Sunday, we prayed before we ate, and we had the 10 commandments hung in the foyer of our home. The Lord was close to me, and yet, I was far away from Him. Sometime right before high school, I became completely disconnected from Him. Through it all, I was very aware I didn’t have a personal relationship with the Lord. I thought “No, I’m good. I don’t need that!”
In May 2017, that was the only thing I needed. In the midst of heartbreak, I remember driving to a nearby church. I didn’t know at the time what urged me to go there... because I hadn’t been there in years. In hindsight, I know it was Him. I was broken. I felt unloved, unknown, and unworthy, yet He was guiding me back to Him. He was guiding me home. I walked into the church that night and fell to my knees and asked, “God, if you’re up there, will you help me?”
My heart breaks for that girl who had no idea of the unwavering and beautiful love the Lord has for her. I’ve grown so much since that girl on her knees begging for God. But don’t get me wrong, I am still the girl who begs on her knees for God! However, instead of desperation, it’s from a place of desire and celebration. Because today, I know I am loved, known, and chosen!
I’ve been spending my Bible time in Genesis - the place where God starts His story with us. In Genesis 1, when we were created, God invited us into the world. That night at the church, God invited me there. Then, I invited Him into my life. Despite how messy my life was, God extended His hand to me. Similarly, in Genesis 3:9, God’s first question recorded in the Bible to mankind asks to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” after they ate the forbidden fruit. This question was not for Him, it was for them. He invited them to reflect on where their hearts were and to realign with Him. As I’ve grown in my faith over the past two years, I’ve noticed the importance of invitations from Him and to Him.
In August 2019, God gave me an invitation to start Invited Ministry. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. **Spoiler alert: I still don’t know what I’m doing!** I was so nervous to start it! I felt scared and uncomfortable. What would my family think? What would my friends think? I felt unqualified and unprepared, but I felt God nudge me, “Don’t wait. Trust in me.” And so, I accepted that invitation.
I’m not a perfect, model Christian. I don’t know everything about the Bible. Sure, I
could’ve waited a few years to start Invited Ministry, until I fully understood Scripture, but
I honestly, don’t think God wanted it that way. I think He wanted me to feel His overwhelming love and turn around and show it to someone else. I think He wanted me
to start where I am, by loving people and loving Him.
Though this journey has been scary, I’ve found safety in Him. Though this journey has been uncomfortable, I’ve found my comfort in Him. Like I said, I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what the future holds for Invited Ministry. I just go to Him every day and ask, “Lord, what will you teach me today? What is my assignment for today?” And I keep extending an invitation to Him and accepting His invitation to me. I keep saying yes to God.
Dear Friend, are you extending an invitation to God? Are you accepting His invitation to you? When you say yes to these two questions, and when you start saying yes to God, He will certainly accept your invitation to work in your life!
I cannot wait to see what He does through you!
Dear Most High, Almighty God,
I felt broken and messy. I lost sight of who I was, but most importantly, who You are and
how big You are. Even though the hurt didn’t feel good, I know You can make goodness
from it. I invite You into my life, every single part of it. I will shine lights on all my sins so I
can give all my focus to the One who is worth it. I declare that you Lord, alone, are my
refuge, my dwelling place, my safe space, and I trust you. Lord, use me for your glory,
and give me clarity and fullness that only you can give. I crave an intimate close
relationship with you. I raise my heart and hands to worship your Holy name.
Love,
Your daughter, Courtney
Courtney Albers is from Kentucky, where she proudly brings a touch of southern hospitality wherever she goes. Courtney loves God, her Bible, her family, a cute handbag, and anything blush pink! As founder and writer of Invited Ministry, Courtney believes in authentic relationships and lives to point people to the Lord. To join the sisterhood, visit invitedministry.wordpress.com/about/, where Courtney leads women through the Word, all for His fame.
Follow her on Instagram, @courtneyalbers.
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