The abbreviation RSVP originates from a French phrase, but in English it means please reply to an invitation. When I got married, I included a card insert with a stamped, self-addressed envelope for the RSVP. With the advancements in technology, that is no longer the norm. My daughter requested the responses to her wedding invitation be made electronically via her wedding website.
Hillary set February 1 as the deadline to RSVP for her upcoming wedding. Surprisingly, well over half the invited guests hadn’t replied by that date. I’m not completely sure why the response rate was so low, but my theory is that, because most of the guests have to travel a distance, we already knew many of the answers. Thankfully, technology allowed me to round up the responses without too much hassle.
In the midst of collecting RSVPs, I was reminded of the most important invitation I’ve ever received. You received the same one. God has invited each of us to be part of His family through faith in Jesus.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12 NLT
Replying to this invitation has eternal consequences:
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NLT
So, how does one RSVP to this invitation? A positive reply involves four steps:
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- Recognize that your sin separates you from God.
- Ask God for forgiveness and be willing to turn away from your sins.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
- Invite Jesus into your heart and life and begin to follow Him.
Here’s the deal—God will pursue a positive response but won’t force it. He gives us free will to choose. I consider my saying YES to His invitation the best decision I’ve ever made.
Have you RSVP’d yet? As long as you still have breath, it’s not too late to say “yes!” He is awaiting you with arms wide open and more love than you can ever imagine. Please, come be part of the family and enjoy the abundant life that Jesus came to give. The benefits are eternal and I promise you won’t regret it!
You’re best ever!! Loved it!
I was a pretty close first to RSVP to the wedding and said YES to this one early on in my life too! Thanks for the reminder to be present and show up for this invitation as we committed to do. Countdown is on… 1 week to wedding day!?
What a great analogy with the RSVP to God and the wedding story! I love how you use experiences in your own life.
May God bless all of the family as you move into “Wedding Week!”❤️??
Beautifully written as always. Good reminder! Will see you there!
I have been thinking about your Mom and Marlene a lot lately and wondering how your Mom is doing.
Polly, your analogy about God’s invitation to join His family is beautiful. I’m looking forward to the day we can all be together again. It will be great to all be together and have Supper Club picnics.
I hope you have a beautiful wedding and please give your Mom a big bear hug from me and tell her I think of her often.
I always enjoy your writing and this one was especially good. Praying that your mom’s health is good enough to enjoy Hillary’s special day.
A sweet read to end my day! In the midst of wedding hustle, you found time to be still and write! As always, thanks for sharing!
You have used this wedding experience to make the comparison to so many biblical truths and I so love your writing . Thank you for sharing your gift.