Harbor Stop 1: Come to Jesus

Today, we arrive at Harbor Stop 1: Come Home to Jesus.

🏠 Safe Harbor Awaits

Life's journey isn't always calm. Storms of fear, loss, disappointment, guilt, uncertainty, or brokenness can leave us feeling weary and adrift. Yet God has always provided a place of refuge for those who call on Him.

Every Harbor Stop is an invitation to step away from life's distractions, lay down what you've carried into this moment, and spend a few quiet moments with the One who never leaves your side.

Whether He calms the storm around you or brings peace within you, His invitation remains the same: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."~ Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

⚓ Drop Anchor

Pause and Pray: Lord Jesus quiet my heart as I spend these moments with You. Help me to set aside every distraction and hear Your voice above every other. If I've wandered far from You or carried burdens too heavy to bear, remind me that Your arms are open and Your grace is enough. Lead me closer to You today. Amen.

🧭 Check Your Bearings

Before you begin, take a moment to reflect.

–   Have you ever felt like you've wandered too far from God?

–   What burden have you been carrying that you were never meant to carry alone?

–   If Jesus stood before you today and simply said, "Come," what would keep you from taking that first step?

📖 Voices from the Harbor

There are moments in life when we find ourselves adrift, searching for hope, peace, and a place to belong.

Sometimes it happens suddenly after a painful event. Other times it's so gradual that we hardly notice until we find ourselves exhausted, discouraged, and wondering how we got so far from the peace we once knew.

The good news of the Gospel is this: Jesus doesn't wait for us to find our way back on our own.

He comes looking for us.

Throughout Scripture we see a Savior who welcomes the weary, forgives the broken, restores the wandering, and gives hope to those who believe they've gone too far. His invitation has never changed.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."~ Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

Notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say, "Fix yourself first." He doesn't say, "Prove you're worthy." He simply says, "Come to Me."

I have found myself there more than a time or two - adrift, searching for hope, peace, love, and somewhere to belong.

More than 40 years ago, I was lost and without hope. I searched through different religions, drinking, and many other things that eventually left me carrying shame and regret. I had reached the end of my rope and had no idea where to go or how to change my life.

My first glimpse of something different came when I was about 14 years old. I watched someone pray a sinner's prayer with my Grandma. I didn't fully understand what I was witnessing, but something about that moment stayed with me.

At 16, I went to church with my sister-in-law. I remember seeing the people there and being drawn to what they had. There was something real in their joy and their faith, and deep inside I knew, This is what I've been looking for. That was the first time I repented of my sins and asked Jesus into my heart. I can't say I fully understood everything that happened that day. I just remember feeling clean and loved in a way I had never experienced before.

But my journey didn't suddenly become easy.

I lived about 40 miles from that church, and because my parents were Catholic, I wasn't allowed to attend another church. Without Christian fellowship or anyone regularly helping me grow in my new faith, I eventually drifted.

Two years later, I moved out of my parents' home and moved in with a church member who lived directly across the street from the church. Once again, I turned my heart toward Jesus and became involved in church. Several months later, however, I met a young man, and once again my walk with Christ went adrift.

Three more years passed before I stepped inside a church again.

By then I was 21 years old, a single mother raising two little boys. I was angry at the world, ashamed of many of the choices I had made, and deeply unhappy with myself and the life I was living. Beneath all that anger was a young woman desperately searching for hope, peace, and love.

Then a friend of mine became radically saved, (born again) and began witnessing to me. I was so full of pride that I remember telling her, "That's good. You needed it." Yet night after night, when no one else could hear me, I was crying out to God for help.

Looking back now, I can see what I couldn't see then: God had sent someone to help pull me toward shore. I was asking Him for help while resisting the very person He was using to point me back to Jesus.

On October 28, 1985, I finally agreed to go to church with my friend to watch a movie. By the time the movie ended, I was crying. Something inside me finally gave way. I stopped running, stopped resisting, and surrendered my life to God. I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to come into my heart.

After years of searching, wandering, and finding myself adrift again and again, I finally came home.

My story reminds me of the picture Jesus gave us of the Father's heart in the parable of the prodigal son. The son had wandered far from home and made choices he deeply regretted. Yet when he finally turned toward home, his father didn't stand at a distance waiting for him to prove that he deserved another chance.

He ran to meet him...

"But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." ~ Luke 15:20 (NKJV)

That's the heart of the Father toward those who turn to Him.

Billy Graham expressed this truth beautifully: "God's love for you is unconditional. He loves you as you are, not as you should be. "Billy Graham, Hope for Each Day, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (June 15, 2018)

Whether you've never placed your faith in Christ, you've wandered away, or you've faithfully followed Him for years, His invitation is the same. Every day is another opportunity to come closer to Him. Christ's invitation has never depended upon our ability to make ourselves worthy. His grace meets us where we are, but He loves us too much to leave us there. He forgives, restores, and transforms those who surrender their lives to Him.

Come closer. Come back. Come home.

No storm is stronger than His grace.No failure is greater than His mercy.No distance is too far for His love.

Christ's invitation has never depended on our worthiness. His grace meets us where we are, welcomes us with open arms, and lovingly transforms us into who He created us to be.

The harbor has never been closed. Jesus is still welcoming people home.

⛵ Adjust Your Sails

Coming home to Jesus begins with one step. You don't have to understand everything or have all the answers. You simply need to respond to His invitation.

Ask yourself:

–   Is there anything keeping me from drawing closer to Jesus today?

–   What burden do I need to place into His hands?

–   What would it look like to trust Him with my next step?

🌅 Harbor Reflections

Be still for a moment and let today's truth settle into your heart. Jesus' invitation is personal: "Come to Me." Take a quiet moment to reflect on what may be keeping you from drawing closer to Him. Is there a burden you've been carrying, a fear you've been believing, or a place where you've drifted from His presence? Listen for the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit as He reminds you that you are deeply loved and graciously welcomed. Rest in the peace that comes from knowing you don't have to earn His love or His acceptance - Jesus simply invites you to come home.

🧹 Maintain the Deck

Take inventory of your heart today. Are there thoughts of guilt, shame, fear, or unworthiness that you've allowed to remain? Bring each one before Christ and replace them with His truth. A heart that is regularly surrendered to Jesus stays ready for the journey ahead.

🙏 Cast Your Cares

No matter where you are on your journey, Jesus' invitation is the same: "Come to Me."

If you've never placed your faith in Jesus, tell Him today that you believe He is the Son of God who died for your sins and rose again. Ask Him to forgive you, save you, and become the Lord of your life. His promise is that whoever comes to Him in faith will never be turned away.

If you've wandered from Him, know that His arms are still open. Bring Him your failures, your regrets, and your burdens. Receive the forgiveness, grace, and restoration He freely offers, and rejoice that His mercy is new every morning.

If you've been faithfully walking with Christ, thank Him for His grace and ask Him to draw you even closer. Surrender every care into His hands and allow Him to continue shaping your heart to reflect His, so others may see Jesus through your life.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."~ 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

🗺️ Plot Your Course

Follow Jesus. Make Him known

Jesus has invited you to come to Him. Today, choose one intentional step in response to His invitation.

Read Matthew 11:28–30 again and ask, "Lord, what would You have me do today?" Then, in faith, take that next step.

🛟 Your First Step Home

If you're ready to come home to Jesus, you can pray from your heart:

Lord Jesus,

I come to You just as I am. I know that I have sinned and need Your forgiveness. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins, and that You rose again. I turn from my sin and place my faith in You. Forgive me, make me new, and be Lord of my life. I surrender my past, my burdens, and my future into Your hands. Thank You for Your grace, for receiving me, and for giving me new life. Today, I choose to follow You.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer sincerely, your first step home is not the end of the journey - it is the beginning of a new life with Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him, your Lighthouse, and let His Word become the Compass that guides your way. Begin spending time with Jesus each day; read your Bible, talk with Him in prayer, and take time to listen as the Holy Spirit helps you understand His Word and follow His leading.

Find a Bible-believing church where you can grow in your faith, worship with other believers, serve God with the gifts He has given you, and walk alongside others who are following Jesus. You were never meant to make this journey alone.

Until Our Next Harbor Stop…

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The harbor is always open.