You Must Come

"Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."  Luke 14:23

"You must come!" said Bocelli, emphatically.

Sharon wasn't so sure.  It was her first time in Italy.  She was a university exchange student staying in a small, beautiful town near Lake Cuomo and had gone shopping for a few items needed for the semester when she ran into Bocelli.  Sharon literally bumped into him in one of the stores, and being a friendly gentleman, he struck up a conversation with her.  It wasn't long before their shared love of all things music was uncovered.

"There is a wonderful concert in the square tonight," he said.  "You must come!"

Sharon hesitated.  She was tired from the lengthy travel, and if she was going to do anything, it was either resting or studying.  She had no intention or great desire to attend a concert that night.  Besides, there were sure to be other concerts to attend during her stay.  But Bocelli pressed her hard.

"Sharon, you must come!  There will never be another concert like this one," he implored.

Again, Sharon was unsure.  After all, she did not know this man.  She had just bumped into him at this store and barely even made his acquaintance.  Finally, at Bocelli's insistence, Sharon agreed to attend the concert in the square that night, and she would bring a friend to make a hasty exit if things weren't as promised.

The event was indescribable.  The music was heartfelt and grand.  It was, in fact, life-changing for Sharon.  After the event, Sharon decided to change her major from biology to music, and went on to write over 1,000 songs, encouraging and inspiring generations, and all because Bocelli compelled her to come.

Jesus compels us to come, too, and it is a coming to that which is so much greater than anything else we could possibly imagine!  You may not know Him from Adam, but I can assure you that He can be trusted, and what He calls you to is indescribable and life-changing, as well! 

Colossians 1:6 tells us, "This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace."

Have you been called to follow Jesus?  

You must come!

Goodnight, Runners.