The day after a busy holiday is always two-sided. There is the side of me that’s like “Whew! Now I can rest!” and then the other side which is somewhat let down, because the excitement and anticipation of the event is over. But with Easter, that’s shouldn’t be the case. Yes, the 2016 Holiday is over, but not the excitement! Still today I woke up excited about my Salvation, what it means to me and what God is doing in my life. Every day I wake up to a resurrected Lord, not just Easter Sunday! “So what’s your plan today,” I ask myself? “What are you going to do with another day with Jesus? How are you going to impact the world for Christ?”

That’s a heavy question. But God is not One of low expectations. He didn’t go the cross for a group of slackers. He went to the cross for servants willing to go into the highways and the hedges.

Luke 14 tells the story of the planning of a great event. Much time and preparation had gone into it and yet it was taken for granted by the masses and many refused to attend because the world had pressing business for them real estate, farming, family (or whatever it is that’s on our schedule today before God.)

Vs. 17-24

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

I thought of this scripture when I thought of the many friends of mine who invited folks to church for Easter Sunday, some came, and some did not. And for those who didn’t it’s disappointing, not only to us, but above all to God Who had planned so great an event! But in truth, that wasn’t the great event, that was a precursor to the great event and we’re still in the planning stages!  There’s still time to get our friends to the party!

God’s not looking for the perfectly dressed, the happy, healthy and rich. He’s looking for the hurting, poor, tired and sick who need to find Hope and we have the invitation in our hand! Today is a highway and hedges day and we’re not guaranteed another. So they didn’t listen yesterday. Compel them today! Now I’m excited about Monday.