RSVP
Some organisers don’t even bother asking invited guests to respond.
Reference: The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but people scorned and ridiculed them. (2 Chronicles 30:10 NIV)
Explore: Did you know that some people don’t bother putting RSVPs on their invitations any more? We have become so tardy at letting people know that we can attend their party or their event that some organisers don’t even bother asking invited guests to respond.
I’m only 35 and not RSVPing by the set time still seems highly rude to me. I’m not saying I’m perfect, there have been times when the date has slipped me by, but the next generation have taken it to a whole other level.
Even when organisers make it as easy as possible to respond – send a text, click a button on a Facebook page, call this number – people still don’t communicate their attendance. It’s not that they don’t know how, it’s often that they’re waiting to hear whether there’s a better offer.
It seems that some people can’t commit until they know it’s the best opportunity available.
Application: When King Hezekiah put together a communal Passover, he didn’t just keep it for his close friends or even his loyal subjects. He spread the word and invited everyone in Israel and Judah, even though there had been major separation between the two in the past.
Many people came, but many didn’t. It wasn’t because they didn’t know how to RSVP, it wasn’t because they missed the cut off date, and it wasn’t because they lost king Hezekiah’s number! They were choosing something that they thought was better, life without God.
The amazing grace of God is reflected in Hezekiah as he invited EVERYONE. All people got the invitation, it’s just that some chose not to attend.
It’s the same when it comes to following God, everyone is welcome but sadly only some accept Him.
Prayer: Lord, Your love and mercy extend to all. To those who accept Your grace, may we stay forever humbly grateful. To those who deny You, may they have their eyes open to how great You truly are. Amen.
What’s your answer to God’s open invitation?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.