RSVP

RSVP means “please respond.” It is the acronym for the French phrase Répondez S’il Vous Plaît.

This requests the invitee to formally accept or decline the invitation to the event on or before a specific date.

In the Philippines, many forget to RSVP or mistakenly think it is not important enough to respond. That’s why hosts are often left holding the bag because preparations (and expenses) are based on the number of confirmed guests. On the day of the affair, many of those who did not confirm show up—or vice-versa.

Perhaps you have attended a few occasions with vacant tables because the hosts tried to guess how many would come. Then there are affairs where new tables had to be hurriedly set up because even those who did not respond to the RSVP arrived and brought along family members.

There is a standing and open invitation for us that we need to RSVP—the sooner the better. It’s found in many Bible verses.

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! (Isaiah 55:1 NLT) Continue reading up to verse 7, and you’ll find how sincere, how ardent, how urgent this invitation is. It is God’s offer of salvation and a promise of everlasting life.

This invitation is reiterated by Jesus many times.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

“ . . . ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’” (Mark 1:17)

“Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4)

Everlasting life does not begin when we die as believers. It actually begins when we confirm His invitation anytime, even as I write today, right now: “I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior” and receive the grace of salvation.

As we grapple with enormous problems during this pandemic, God’s call for us to live with Him forever and ever—in a wonderful place no human imagery can replicate—is the greatest invitation of all!

This is an RSVP we cannot and should not ignore

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