The Joy of Saying "Yes!”: How God’s Invitations Lead to Abundant Life
Who knew that the abundant life God promises (Jn 10:10) would be wrapped up in a little, three-letter word?
At 13, I said yes to Jesus when He invited me to give my life to Him. Years later, I gave Him my yes when He invited me to move from my hometown of Niagara Falls, NY, to West Michigan for college. I said yes again when he invited me to homeschool our children.
Bryan and I said yes when we sensed God’s invitation to build prayer cabins on our property.
With each invitation, I didn't know how things would turn out. It was scary and I didn't have many details, but God’s abundant life multiplied as I moved forward in faith.
A New Invitation, Pilgrimage!
Now, we’re standing in front of a new invitation—one that feels even more outlandish. By the time you read this, Bryan and I will have begun a prayer pilgrimage, walking 170 miles between little Spanish towns along the Camino de Santiago trail.
A pilgrimage is a journey that you embark on to deepen your relationship with God often ending in a place of spiritual significance. Our lives are pilgrimages from our birth to the day when we cross over to our eternal home in heaven. Sometimes, the Lord provides the opportunity for us to experience a physical pilgrimage, such as the Camino, as well.
This invitation to the Camino began ten years ago on a flight home as I chatted with a friendly college student. She told me about her parents, who were close to our age, having just completed their second pilgrimage.
My spirit leapt. I’d always loved walking and found it to be a powerful place of prayer. Hearing about the 500-mile route that believers have been walking to grow closer to God for over a thousand years lit a spark within me. She mentioned a movie called "The Way." When I got home, I watched it, and the spark grew into a flame.
Other books and movies followed,
I’ll Push You (DVD or book) by Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck is about two friends, one wheelchair-bound and the other, who, out of great love for his friend, pushed him the entire way.
Walk in a Relaxed Manner by Joyce Rupp about her journey with her friend Tom, both of them in their seventies, who walked the entire route, without a blister or muscle strain!
The Way is Made by Walking by pastor Arthur Paul Boers.
Then, Bryan and I bought tickets and were excited to go in May of 2020!
But it was not to be. All flights were cancelled due to COVID, and despite our efforts to reschedule, nothing worked. Until 2023, when our thirty-year-old son asked,
“Hey, Mom, when are you going to go on the Camino? You’ve got to do it before you can’t anymore.” (AKA before you get too old! Thanks, Jon) “In 2024?”
Me: “Nope, I can’t in 2024. I need to write the book.”
Jon: “Ok, 2025, then?!!”
Me: “Yes, Jon, 2025!”
And then he surprised me with the greatest gift of all.
“Victoria and I will go with you!”
Around the same time, while writing "Journey with a Giant," I felt prompted to include the theme of pilgrimage—without fully understanding why. Now with the Camino before us and the book about to release, I’m in awe of God’s timing.
Others Who Have Said Yes
Throughout Scripture and history, God has extended holy invitations to his people for his purposes:
Like Paul, who He invited to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.
Or Ananias, in Acts 9:10-19, who God invited to go to Saul, (who had been killing Christians, by the way!) and pray for him to receive his sight and divine commission.
And others, like the spiritual giant John Bunyan, who God invited to stand firm in his conviction to lead believers in authentic faith, despite the threat of arrest. His "yes” led to his imprisonment and a three-month sentence, which turned into over twelve years. During that time, he wrote "Pilgrim’s Progress," a spiritual classic that continues to minister to believers today.
Not every invitation looks like “Kingdom Work,” such as preaching the gospel or serving the poor. As Olympic runner Eric Liddell, depicted in the movie Chariots of Fire and known for his famous quote, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure,” shows us — sometimes God invites us to things that bring us great joy and work for His kingdom as well.
Though Difficult, Our Yes's Always Bring Great Blessing
Despite uncertainty, fear, and discomfort these faithful followers of Jesus said “Yes!” to the Lord’s invitations. Their yes’s brought incredible blessing, not only to them but to countless other believers.
Even if the impact of our yes’s aren’t as great as theirs, they are no less significant in the Lord’s eyes.
Heading out on this pilgrimage Bryan and I have no idea what’s ahead. But what we do know is that abundant life is found in knowing Jesus—and saying yes to His invitations.
We can’t wait to see what He has in store.
Prayer Pause …
Take a few minutes to open yourself to the Lord,
Think back over your life. When has the Lord extended invitations for you to say yes?
What has He invited you to in the last decade?
What is He inviting you to say “yes” to now?
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Resources Worth Noticing:
I’ll Push You by Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck (watch the first 10 min on the site!)
Walk in a Relaxed Manner by Joyce Rupp
The Way is Made by Walking by Arthur Paul Boers
Journey with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God by Lori G Melton
Other Pilgrimage Articles: