Invitations and Regrets

The Bible is full of invitations from the heart of God to the hearts of men. Unfortunately, with an invitation comes the opportunity to send regrets, to say, "No." In the world there can be legitimate reasons for sending regrets; however, in response to God's invitations, regrets are really refusals to submit ourselves to the demands of God on our lives.
One of the most compelling invitations from our Lord is found in Matthew 11:28-30. The invitation is three fold: first, "Come unto Me." Secondly, He invites us to "take my yoke." Thirdly, He invites us to "learn of Me."
What's in store for those invited? A rest from their own labors, a unity with Christ in His transforming service, and a partnership with Him in the bearing of burdens.
What are we invited to? Not to a church or a denomination or a greater preacher or teacher, or a set of principles, but to the person of Jesus Christ. We are not invited to a list of responsibilities but to a deepening relationship with the Savior of the world.
To whom is the invitation offered? First, to those who are burdened down by the futility of laboring in their own strength. Also invited are those who are willing to submit to the leadership of Christ in the work of plowing the field, sowing the seed, and reaping the harvest--those who as the weaker partner long to be yoked with the omnipotent God in His business. And, finally, the invitation is offered to those willing to learn more of the gentleness and humility of heart required to do God's work God's way.
Who are those who will send regrets? Regrets will be sent by those who still think they can make it on their own. And by those who have no burden for the needs of others--who have a heart motivated only by self-love and pride, a desire for preeminence. All such will send regrets.
The choice is yours. Do you want to bear fruit, to commune with God daily in the work, to learn to be like Him--gentle and submissive to the Father's will? Or do you want a sense of futility, a coldness of heart, a selfish bitterness of spirit? Now that you've received the invitation, there's only one of two responses you can make. You can accept. Or you can send regrets. He's waiting. And as the saying goes, "When you have to make a choice and don't make one, you've made a choice."