A Seat at the Table

 

Sliding into the nearest available seat at the meeting that afternoon, I quickly scanned the room, looking for a familiar face. Those seated in the chairs around the big roundtable were not the faces of those I usually met with. Within a few seconds, I knew something was terribly wrong! Though I had received the email to attend, I was sure I was not supposed to be at this meeting, for it was filled with the heads of all administrative departments in the school district where I worked. I was an assistant principal, and rarely, if ever, was I invited to meetings with the leaders of the district.  Certainly, I had never been in a meeting with all of them simultaneously. 

I am sure my face gave way to my panicky thoughts about how to most gracefully exit this awkward situation. Just as I was beginning to admit my mistake and try to excuse myself, someone seated directly across from me must have sensed my discomfort and embarrassment. Before I could explain why I was there and needed to leave, she said, "It is fine for you to stay."  "Please, join our meeting."   I wasn't sure I would have anything to offer, but now it seemed I couldn't just get up and leave, so I settled in to make it through that afternoon.

  Way to go! I thought to myself. When you decide to crash a party, you go straight to the top!

However, within a short time, it seemed no one even remembered that I wasn't supposed to be there, and together, we discussed, planned, and worked to make improvements that would benefit our students. I left both satisfied and grateful for the mercy extended when I desperately tried to save myself from certain embarrassment. Later, I learned that the email was not meant to be forwarded to me, but somehow, I was glad it happened.  Through this mishap, I saw what those in authority over me do daily to provide a better way for me and countless others to work and learn. In some small way, I felt I had shared in the work that would benefit many, and I looked forward to seeing the fruit of this labor.

 

In Chapter 2 of Ephesians, Paul tells the people of Ephesus to remember the mercy and grace extended to them. He didn't want them to forget that it was through the shed blood of Christ that they were provided acceptance and belonging to their Father, God. Did they really remember or even understand the cost that afforded them acceptance into God's family, or had they forgotten what it was like to not belong or be treated like they were anything more than strangers?

Like the mercy extended to me on that mixed-up day, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have a reserved place at God's table. Their acceptance has nothing to do with a title attached to a name, what they have accomplished, where they live, who they know, or how wealthy they may be. This invitation hinges on one thing only, belief.  All believers are promised that they will one day sit around His table in His eternal kingdom for an afternoon and forever. 

Dear Father,

Only one word has the power to change lives both now and eternally. That precious word is Calvary. It is a place where life or death is determined. Our destiny depends on our response to the magnificent work accomplished there. Apart from you, Father is a place of sorrow, hopelessness, and finality. Still, with you is a place of victory!  For it is there that believers do not merely descend to the grave but instead are raised to life. There, they experience the gift of forever being in your presence, for each receives an invitation to be "seated at the table."

Thank you, Lord.

You have…made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages, he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

Ephesians 2:5-7