Just Be 30-Day Challenge
Just BE Invited – Day 28
Webster says ‘Invited’ means to request the presence or participation of in a kindly, courteous, or complimentary way, especially to request to come or go to someplace or do something; to act so as to bring on or render probable
Synonyms: proposed, requested, urged, wooed, encouraged, attracted, drawn, included, welcomed
GOD says in Psalm 15:1-5, ‘God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? “Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor, despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe. You will never get blacklisted if you live like this.” (MSG).’
I know how painstakingly I have prepared guest lists. On the few occasions when I was a little girl and my mom prepared a birthday party for me, I recall what a difficult decision it was to choose who would make up the guest list. When my children were growing up, it felt even more arduous to not leave someone out but assure that the party goers would all get along. Even in professional arenas and intimate occasions, the task hasn’t gotten any easier, and I am sure, plenty of invitation lists are pored over; and not just by me. Perhaps even more impactful is being left out, unincluded; the last one chosen for the team or to be passed over altogether. Whether events or fundraisers or family gatherings, adulthood hasn’t softened the blow to be uninvited, overlooked, neglected, discarded.
So I wonder what the response of Jesus is to all whom He has invited. There isn’t a person who isn’t on His guest list. But He says in Matthew 22:14, ‘That’s what I mean when I say, “Many get invited; only a few make it.”’ See, for Jesus, it isn’t a matter of addressing the proper invitations. Rather, it is a matter of acceptance of the invitation. We don’t have to remark under our breath, ‘Well, I wasn’t invited.’ Because it simply isn’t true. He invited all of us to His housewarming, to the wedding feast, to be adopted as a co-heir with Him, to share in the blessing His Father prepared for us too. It is true, as with other occasions in life, this is ‘By Invitation Only’; however, the invitation was issued to all mankind. And not only that; we are welcomed, greeted, wooed, drawn by an ever-lasting love of a Father and a Savior.
Psalm 5:7, ‘And here I am, your invited guest – it’s incredible! I enter into your house; here I am, prostrate in your inner sanctum (MSG).’
Day Challenge 28: Did you know, you don’t even have to wear special attire or bring a gift or do anything extraordinary. All that is required of you is to show-up dressed in wraparound trust and faith and obedience. Oh, and invite someone to be your guest!
