They’re Waiting for an Invite

I’m finding more and more as I age that the façade of being cool, having it all together, and knowing the next steps is just that…a façade.

When I was younger, admitting that I needed help was hard. Admitting that I was looking for answers felt like weakness, and because of that, I hid in a world full of others likely feeling the same way.

Now, with a few more notches of experience on my belt, I’m realizing something: the older versions of “us” still don’t have it all figured out. We’re still searching for purpose. We’re still wondering what’s next.

The difference is this — most of us now know we’re not all that cool. We understand that we’ll never fully have it all together, and we’re finally ready to admit that and move toward things that truly matter.

So, what’s stopping us?

In my personal experience — it’s an invitation.

I’m no longer surprised to see the joy in someone’s eyes when they’re invited to give, to serve, or to use something they’ve been blessed with to impact another life. It’s not a burden; it’s a gift. Connecting the dots to real purpose in the middle of ordinary life is one of the most freeing things I’ve ever seen.

I’ve watched tears form in grown men’s eyes as they were invited into community.
I’ve seen business leaders transform through generosity.
I’ve watched hardened men soften while serving on the front lines of local nonprofits.

All because they were invited.

A Biblical Precedent

If we want to learn from the best, there’s clear precedent.
Jesus used the simple invitation “Follow Me” more than a dozen times in the Gospels.

Here are just a few:

1. Simon Peter and Andrew – Fishermen
   “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
   — Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17
   They immediately leave their nets — giving up their livelihood.

2. James and John – Sons of Zebedee
   Jesus calls them, and “immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.”
   — Matthew 4:21–22; Mark 1:19–20
   They give up family and business to follow. 

3. Matthew (Levi) – Tax Collector
   “Follow Me.”
   — Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27–28
   He leaves a lucrative, corrupt profession — giving up wealth and status. 

4. The Rich Young Ruler
   “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor… then come, follow Me.”
   — Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 18:22
   Invitation rejected — he couldn’t give up his wealth.

5. Philip
   “Follow Me.”
   — John 1:43
   A simple but life-changing call — he leaves to bring others (Nathaniel).

It’s interesting, isn’t it? These were all grown men.
We don’t know if they were actively searching for meaning or contemplating a change.
Some had money. Some didn’t. Some had skills and influence; others didn’t.

But all of them had one thing in common — they were invited into something powerful and pure.
They were asked to give up something in order to gain everything.
They were invited into a life that transformed them from the inside out.

So, Two Things for You Today

#1 — An Invitation.
If you’re looking to connect your work to eternal Kingdom impact — shoot me a message. We’re doing that at Tithe Foundation, and I’m inviting you into the next step. We’ve made it incredibly simple. Invitation extended.

#2 — A Challenge.
Who in your life is ready to put down the façade?
Who’s quietly waiting for an invitation into something more?

It could be as simple as an invite to church on Sunday.
An invite to your small group this week.
An invite to coffee and a real question — “How are you, really?”

Start small. See where a simple invite might lead.

For the disciples, “Follow Me” changed everything.
Maybe for someone you know, your invitation could too.

-Mark