October 7, 2007
Finding Your Place at the Table
There were just a couple of basic requirements we were looking for while we
were shopping for a dining room table.
First, we wanted a
table with fairly simple and elegant lines. We weren’t interested in
anything that was fancy or ornate.
We were hoping that we
could find something that was fairly well-built—-something that would last
for more than a
couple of years.
Perhaps the most important requirement was that it needed to be large enough
for as many as twelve
people to sit around
it.
We looked at a lot of dining room tables; but most of them didn’t get more
than a passing glance, because it was obvious
that they did not meet
one or more of our requirements. There are more ways to make a table
elaborate than you might
imagine. Many people
have noticed the decline in quality workmanship over the last few years. The
demand for low prices
means there are fewer
items being produced that can be passed on to our children. Even though we
found a few tables that
met the first two
criteria, we still had to pass on most of them because they were not large
enough to seat twelve.
I am happy to report that we did finally find a table that met all three of
our basic requirements—and it was delivered to
our home in time for us
to celebrate the birthdays of four of the twelve people who ended up sitting
around it the last Sunday
in August.
The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. It is a time when we
especially remember that the Lord’s Table
is large enough for all
of the people of the world to find a place to sit. While the table in our
sanctuary may look rather small,
we remember that the
Lord’s Table extends around the globe. We also remember that our place at
Christ’s table is not secured
because of what we have
done; but rather, because of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.
Yes, Christ invites to
his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to
live in peace with one another.
I pray you will find
your place at his table this day.
Ashley