I am a pretty social person.
On a scale of 1-10, I would say I fall somewhere around a 12.
My personality loves interacting and entertaining (except for the part where I have to prep and clean the guest bathroom.) Sure, I love time to myself, but I really enjoy hanging out with folks.
This used to be no big deal “back in the day” when I was footloose and fancy-free. Just myself (and my studies) to worry about. I didn’t attend every social event but it would take a pretty big college exam to keep me from “just dropping by.”
Now, as a wife, mama and minister who lives a couple thousand miles from family, I have to mark the “Regretfully will not be attending” box more than I would like.
There are a few minor benefits to “being responsible” and saying no to some events. In this season of life, I sometimes enjoy just resting at home with hubs and baby. Other “pluses” to gracefully declining attendance is the saving of cash and less rushing, not to mention trying to think up a new, healthy, economical CrockPot main dish idea.
One thing God has taught me is to say yes to His best. Otherwise, I find myself so wrapped up in the “now” that I miss what He has planned for me.
That is where today’s parable comes in. Join me in Matthew 22 and Luke 14 for the Parable of the Banquet.
Here’s the scoop: A guy (God/Jesus) prepares a great banquet for his peeps. But His peeps (servants/followers) make excuses to blow Him off.
One guy has to go check out his new field. Another bought a yoke of oxen and wants to go try them out. The last excuse comes from a newlywed… He can’t come, he just got married!
In the end, God says too-bad-so-sad to the original invitees and recruits others who actually listen to His message. The original servants miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime (or an eternity!) because they were “too busy” with other stuff.
Here is what we can learn from this:
1. We ALL have an invitation to accept and follow Christ. It won’t be around forever. We need to RSVP ASAP (if we haven’t already.)
2. Things like work, possessions and even relationships are no excuse to ignore God’s invitation. We can actually have our banquet cake and eat it too. God can be IN our work, stuff and relationships. He should be first, directing the activity. When I first got married, I really struggled with the “just got married” excuse. My husband always worked crazy long hours with the army, so our time together was very limited. When a church event happened in the evening, I would always be torn: Do I go or do I stay home since hubby might-maybe be home at a decent hour?
The answer usually wasn’t simple. And it depended on the day. I would spend the day praying, asking God what His best for me was in that given moment. Sometimes He said “Go on and do my work in the church/community” and other times He said “Stay home and glorify me by spending time with your Beloved.” And do you know what? Every time I obeyed, I was blessed.
3. We always need to be listening to God. Sometimes He might whisper to our hearts an invitation to close the computer and read our Bible. Or take a nap. Or soak in the bathtub. Other times He might invite us into a new work opportunity with Him at the helm.
We must embrace the idea that if we are genuine followers of Christ, nothing in our life is secular… it is all sacred. But we have to accept His invitation to make that concept a reality.
Do you ever tell God you are “too busy” or “don’t have time” for Him? In what ways can we make sure we are maintaining a holy balance with God at the center of it all? I welcome your comments.
Accepting God’s invitation isn’t a one-and-done situation. It is something we do daily. Maybe as we log off of Facebook to spend time with our spouse or work on the weekend on a big ministry project. His daily invitation will look different to each one of us.
But the bottom line is that regardless if our invitation is written on pretty stationary or a spaghetti-stained napkin, it is still an invitation from God to join Him in His work to advance the kingdom of heaven.
We just have to say yes.
Yes to His Best,
“Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” ~Luke 14:15 NIV
Linking up today with Kelli via Unforced Rhythms, Laura at Playdates with God, and Joan’s Beauty in His Grip. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
