Which Guests are We?

Fellow Banquet Guests... Last Saturday Kendra and I spent the evening in Shelby County, raising funds for Shelby County CASA. If you do not know what CASA is google it and google Shelby County specifically. Anyway. We were there as guests of Bridget Davis, who runs the program in Shelby County, and we were thankful that this year that many more of her invited guests showed up. Last year there were only four of us that made it, because the others were too busy. Why is this relevant? Because the night meant the world to Bridget and she wanted to share this night with those closer to her, when those closest to her found other things more important, well i can tell you its akin to the first invited guests in Luke 14. I rehearse this for several reasons. When we are too busy to accept any invitation to a special engagement, one that our hosts labored hard to make perfect, we hurt, some times unintentionally, our good friend. We might really be overwhelmed with scheduling and sports and kids and so much more, but if we do not take the chance to put it all aside, just for one night, for those close to us or ever those we worship with, we really let those persons know that deep down they matter little to us. To accept an invitation, even when it comes as a sacrifice, shows the hosts, that nothing matters more to me than sharing this night, this space, this meal, or this service with you. Funny thing how a rejected invitation, whether justiable or not, can harm, but when we take the chance to put our lives aside so we can go, how that makes all the difference. If that is how we react to invitation sent out, i wonder how God reacts to the numerous, unlimited invitations He has given to His children to come, and they, all too often, find other things to do. Come watch a movie with your sisters and brothers. I can't; i have my car to wash. Come help clothe the naked in our community. I can't; my garden calls, it is close to spring, and i must get the tomatoes planted. Or come celebrate the LORD's Supper, rehearsal the greatest meal Jesus shared with His disciples; I can't; the Mentalist season finale is on, and i dont want to miss it. If we refuse to come or find other things to do; God will invite those persons we don't want, and we will go the way of the Dodo... So will we answer the invitation, put our lives on hold so we can show our Host, which is the Author of Hosts, how appreciative we are for Him, but also how much we truly love Him? Or will we care for our gardens, take our kids to daycare, mow the lawns, wash our cars, or watch football? If we do not come to the party, God will bring those in. You know the ones; the ones who will truly appreciate the invitation. And if we do come, and there is still room, which there will always be room, why not assume that God wants us to fill His house with the very people who need God: the poor, the oppressed, the sick, and the broken-hearted Jayhawk fans, then not only will our house begin to feel full, it will also, perhaps for the first time, be ready for the great party God intended. Amen. Shalom, jerry