RSVP

In these days when much of our communication is digital, I’m sure I’m not the only person who misses the thud of a fat envelope on the doormat containing a long, news filled letter from a friend or relation.

A WhatsApp message, even one full of pictures, just isn’t the same. I like to read a person’s reactions to the things going on in their life, the minutiae of their ordinary days as well as the glamour and excitement of their special days.

Much of what comes via the post now is unwelcome news: of ever-increasing bills to be settled or catalogues full of ‘stuff’ we don’t need or want but can’t seem to Unsubscribe from, however hard we try!

One arrival which is almost always very welcome though, is an invitation. That might herald the enjoyment of a wedding, special anniversary, a birthday celebration, perhaps a reunion with friends from school or university, the chance to meet with rarely seen family and friends, enjoy celebratory food, perhaps buy some new clothes.

An invitation, whether printed on stiff embossed card or hand drawn by a young family member is something to be displayed with joy and anticipation as the big day approaches.

Such invitations don’t come every day and sometimes when we’re feel unwell or just generally low and the daily routine is becoming too monotonous, how we long for an invitation to something exciting to come through our door.

Sometimes we might find ourselves with too many invitations. The prospect of going to yet another wedding or other celebration may be the last thing we feel we need when we’ve had lots of events crammed into a short space of time and all we want is some time to relax in comfortable clothes, eat simple meals and enjoy our own company.

Yet there is one invitation which is never unwelcome. It’s never delayed, it doesn’t arrive on an elaborately decorated card or through a WhatsApp message, a text, or an email. It doesn’t arrive just once a day with the mail; in fact, it’s rarely in written form. Yet it’s with us all the time, just waiting for us to respond to.

It’s the ever-present invitation from Jesus to be his partner in the daily work of his kingdom. Being his eyes and hands in the world for this moment, this hour, this day and all the days to come. What could be more exciting?

We each respond differently. Sometimes in practical ways such as driving someone to an appointment or collecting shopping for them. At other times perhaps making a phone call to that person we’ve not spoken to for some time but who we know can get lonely and depressed, or perhaps simply sitting alongside someone, placing an arm round their shoulder as they share difficult news. Or, perhaps, praying for someone who is going through a difficult time.

This invitation doesn’t involve travel necessarily. Nor do we need to buy special clothes or gifts. We can wear what we like and Jesus has given us all the gifts we need to bring to the people and situations he’s inviting us to connect with. And, of course, our positive response to this invitation may encourage those we help to respond to Jesus’s invitation to them.

I’m happy to be known as someone who is one of Jesus’s invitees. That’s one ‘list’ I won’t choose to Unsubscribe from!

What are you being invited to do or to be today? Whatever it may be, your RSVP will be the most important thing you do.