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I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and I had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn't be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required," and found the location. Yes, I was at the right place.
I peered through
the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy.
All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean
as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own
tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A
foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my
body.
As I turned
around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at
me..."Come as you are. No jacket required." I decided to give it a
shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this
restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. "Your name,
sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled
without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal
their stains.
He didn't seem to
notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good, sir.
A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?" I couldn't
believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of
course!"
He lead me to a
table, and sure enough, there was a place-card with my name written on it in a
deep, dark red. As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed.
There were things like, "peace,"
"joy," "blessings," "confidence,"
"assurance," "hope," "love," "faith,"
and "mercy." I
realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the
front in order to see where I was at... "God's Grace," was the name
of this place.
The man returned
and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day'. With it you are entitled
to heaping portions of everything on this menu." You've got to be kidding!
I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this?! "What is the 'Special
of the Day'?" I asked with excitement ringing in my voice.
"Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take
it," I practically cried out. Then, as quickly as I made that statement,
the joy left my body. A sick painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears
filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said... "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty
and nasty. I am unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of
this, but, but, I just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the
man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that
Gentleman over there," he said as he pointed to the front of the room.
"His name is Jesus." Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed
to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking
towards Him and in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes
or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay
You for all this."
"Please,
Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and
give me this new life." Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."
I looked down and
white robes adorned my body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I
felt new, like a weight had been lifted and I found myself seated at His table. "The 'Special of the Day' has
been served," The Lord said to me. "Salvation is yours."
We sat and talked
for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me,
me of all people, that He would like for me to come back as often as I liked
for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to
spend as much time with Him as possible.
As it drew near
time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to
me softly, "And Lo, I
am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I
will never forget. He said... "My
child, do you see these empty tables?" "Yes, Lord. I see
them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are
reserved tables...but the individuals whose names are on each place-card have
not accepted their invitation yet. Would you be so kind as to hand out these
invitations to those who have not joined us as yet?" Jesus
asked. "Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the
invitations. "Go ye
therefore into all nations." He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into
God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags.
And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man...robed in white, His
righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread
the Word.
GOD'S LITTLE ACRE
Copyright (c) Rusti 2002, 2003
All Rights Reserved
___________________________________________________________________________________________Copyright (c) Rusti 2002, 2003
All Rights Reserved
I'll share the Gospel too... I'll hand out invitations. And I'll start with you. Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved with your name on it if you haven't!
"Come as you are." No jacket required.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
"Your Love is a Song" Switchfoot
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