Digital Detox by Wendy SpeakeSample

Day Two

“Come to Me”

Scripture: Matthew 11:28; Mark 1:17; John 21:17–19

Jesus invited His disciples to follow Him at the beginning of their friendship, and after that He kept inviting them, over and over again. Consider Peter, who received his very first “follow me” in Matthew 4:19, then heard it again after Jesus asked three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17, 19). Jesus does not offer a one-time invitation but a constant wooing. 

How gracious of the Lord to keep inviting us still! 

Perhaps, in recent years, you can’t hear God as you once could. If that’s where you find yourself today, I understand. However, I have learned from experience that it’s not because the Lord has grown quiet; the world has simply gotten so loud it drowns Him out. 

While Jesus clearly said, “Come, follow Me,” I wear myself out following everyone else. Perhaps you’re tired too, and ready for a rest. Jesus extended this invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” While I memorized this verse years ago, recently I’ve felt the Lord speak this invitation to me in light of all the other things I run to, turn to, or “come to” each day: Come to Me. 

Are you weary? If you’re worn out and wiped out, exhausted from running to all the false gods this world has to offer, run to the One who invited you to bring your weariness to Him in the first place. He can carry your burdens. Amazon Prime can’t do it. Facebook can’t do it. Netflix can’t do it. And all the people you’re following online can’t do it either. It’s not their job to lighten your load or brighten your countenance. It’s God’s job. Don’t follow them, follow Me. Come to Me. 

Dear Lord, Your Word isn’t a far-off record of an old and distant God. You are speaking today to my listening heart, “Come to Me.” You’re inviting me now. Holy Spirit, give me the courage to stop opening my phone and instead open my ears to Your quiet voice. I’ve been stubborn, but I’m so grateful for Your oft-repeated invitation, “Follow Me.” Nothing else has ever been able to get the job done. Only You have that power to meet my needs as I follow You. And so I’m praying in Your name as I say yes to following You today. Amen.