Repondez, S’il Vous Plait,” or “Respond, if you please.”
Thanksgiving and Christmas bring invitations to parties and gatherings, sometimes with an RSVP. Many of you know it’s French for “Répondez, S’il Vous Plaît,” or “Respond, if you please.” But the Lord showed me a new definition.
Seeking the Lord’s guidance on expanding Shiloh’s outreach, I gently, yet clearly received: “Don’t worry about it.” The awkwardly defensive reply was that I don’t worry, I’m being “aware, alert, and attentive.” Over the next few days, God clarified that all He wants from me is:
Be Available, Be Obedient, Be Grateful.
“How can that make me productive?” I countered.” We have dozens of kids to provide for.” The Holy Spirit led me to John 15:4-5, “Abide in Me, and I in you…” Inspired, I watched a time-lapse video of a grapevine growing, from a small sprout to the harvest. This mirrored my own spiritual journey:
Days 1-75: Available. The sprout quietly stays in the soil and begins to grow.
Days 79-90: Obedient. Purposeful pruning of glorious green leaves seems brutal.
Days 91-99: Grateful. Joyful branches extend Heaven-ward with new leaves.
Days 171-173: (More pain.) The Vinedresser performs more drastic pruning. Protesting verbally to the video, and to God, I asked, “Why more suffering?” The message I received was simple: The Vinedresser knows best. “Child, you only have control over those three elements: Be Available, Be Obedient, Be Grateful.”
Days 174-201: Productivity. Tiny orbs appear, resembling grapes.
Days 223-240: Fruit. Mature, robust grapes now fill the branches.
We humans may sometimes feel we are flourishing due to vibrant foliage, but the Vinedresser measures productivity by the fruit, not the leaves. The invitation from Christ includes an RSVP, but with higher meaning:
Remain in Christ
Submit to Guidance
Vocalize Gratitude
Produce Fruit
In this season of Thanksgiving, I am vocalizing my gratitude. Your generous partnership in prayer and provision brings overwhelming results, and i have witnessed that truth for decades. Firsthand. Your Partnership has borne abundantly blessed fruit for Shiloh this year. I am so grateful to God and to you!
RSVP, Kevin Blew