Nate

January 27, 2010

Exerpt from this coming Sunday’s sermon titled ‘Come’…

Communion Room

There is a room in our Father’s house that has as its priority communion, with God as well as our fellow participants in God’s Grace.  There is a table in this room with a chair pulled out.  The placard that sits just behind the beautifully set dinnerware has my name on it.  I can’t believe it, and I certainly don’t deserve it.  Willing it to be true, I make my way to the seat, double checking the name, and sit down.  Dropping my napkin to my knees, I look around.  This place is different.  I’ve heard others talk about it, seen faint pictures of it…but this is it…and I’m here.  It’s different because no one seems to notice me, but at the same time everyone does.  It’s different because its stories are told with great celebration and joy, lacking any sense of judgment or jealousy.  It’s different because no one looks at the fatted calf on their neighbor’s plate and complains about the chicken on theirs.

I notice the host, gracefully making his way around the table, he is almost to me.  Shocked by the sheer invitation to the table, I am blown away, and a little nervous, about actually meeting the host himself.  I am amazed that my normal reaction to say something impressive or noteworthy seems so unbelievably inappropriate in His grace-filled presence. He approaches my chair, and I look up into eyes that I have seen before, I’m comforted by a voice I have heard before.  ‘Welcome Nathan, you are welcome here,’ I stand, we embrace.  It seemed like an eternity, though I know it was only a few moments; I was lost, distant, confused, anxious, bitter…but now I am home.  On shaky knees, I sit back down and snug the chair to the table as the host continues his way around the table.  ‘Nate,’ his voice, more jovial than before, grabs my attention and, as I turn, I catch a quick wink as the host continues, ‘try the wine…made it myself.’

Pastor Nate