Organizing the Inside – Day 310 You’ve Been Invited To Dine

July 9, 2012 at 12:30 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Love, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christianity, God, King, Religion and Spirituality, RSVP

15When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ Luke 14:15-20 (read 21-23)

Jesus Himself has prepared an exquisite banquet and has sent out many invitations. The opportunity to dine with the Master and King has been extended to many who are too busy to accept. Many don’t even bother to open the invite, setting it on the shelf to perhaps respond to later. When God has a purpose and plan for our lives, His timing may seem somewhat inconvenient. He may be inviting you to join Him for a special assignment or opportunity and you feel now is not the time to say yes. For whatever reasons sometimes our busy lives keep us from honoring God and putting Him first. Like the invited guest in the parable of the feast, some make up every excuse in the book to say no to God’s call.

Did you decline to attend? Have you recently ignored an invite to go deeper in the things of God because you felt it was just not the right time, because you were too busy?  What an honor and privilege to receive such an invitation. Your timing may be different from God’s timing, but let me assure you He knows what’s best.  When will you be willing to put aside your own priorities to spend that time doing what the Lord desires?  Jesus makes it clear that eventually your personal invitation to draw closer will be given to someone else. He also tells us that those who reject His initial invitation won’t even taste a morsel from the banquet He’s prepared. Consider what you are saying no to the next time you find yourself too busy to draw near to the King.

Take a moment to reconsider. You may be thinking this parable is about the unsaved people who reject salvation, perhaps so. However, it seems to me those who were initially invited were people who were expecting an invitation, perhaps friends. Before you place your invitation on the shelf, think about the effects of putting work, family, or other responsibilities before God. Think about what that could mean to your future. Why not RSVP now and with a sincere heart to obey tell Jesus you’ll be there? Then see to it that you show up on time. Jesus wants you and me to enjoy kingdom living, we mustn’t turn down any invitations (from Him) no matter how busy life seems.

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