An Early Invitation

My wife and I once hosted a dinner with some members of the church. It was something that we had wanted to do for quite a long time, but unfortunately due to busy work schedules we were just not able to find a day that worked. On a particularly uneventful Monday evening, we realized that the next day was relatively a light schedule and we could possible make dinner work. We quickly texted some friends, and asked them to come over. We profusely apologized for the short notice and assured them that we would be understanding regardless of their response to our invitation. One or two people replied saying that they had other plans, but would love to make it another time.

We were understanding of their rejection because we invited them on such short notice. But how would we have felt if this was a date that we had set weeks in advance? How about months in advance? What if there was a particular event that we had informed our guests about years in advance?

There are very few events where we put more than a couple of months worth of effort into planning, a wedding is usually the only one. As soon as my wedding date was confirmed, I informed my best friends and would-be groomsmen. It was a very special invitation to me, and they were the first ones I wanted to inform. In reality their invitation was sealed even before the wedding date was set. Those friendships had been built up over many years. They had withstood the tests and trials. The acceptance of those invitations, sent months in advance meant the world to me. The earlier that you send the invitation, the more meaningful it is to the sender, the more they desires your presence at their event.

If this is so, what of the invitation that we have from God?

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, - Ephesians 1:4,5

God's invitation was sent before you were born into this word. It was sent even before the world itself was formed. This was an invitation that was not sent on short notice, it was planned and meticulously prepared for.

How can we deny so great of an invitation? How can we RSVP no to the God who has desired your presence in His presence. It is a personal invitation for you specifically. No plus one. The card has been hand crafted for you, the message is written with the blood shed on Calvary and it beckons us to draw close to him and be a part of his family. Clear the schedules, shift your priorities, there is an event you have been invited to and its post marked before time even began.