The Invitation - Part 4 -

 

The Host

You, along with the others, begin to file into the grand ballroom. All heads seem to be on a constant swivel.  Gasps of joy, wide eyes and sweet sounds of amazement fill the space as you tenderly place one foot in front of the other.  With childlike wonder, you explore the room.  Confused by the beauty around you, but still intrigued at the same.  Every corner, every delicate decoration, every work of art, all sewing a sense of peace into every fiber of you.  Overwhelmed by your own emotions and heightened senses, tears rush down your face.  A silly grin stretches across your cheeks.  Without warning, or thought of others, you drop to your knees.  Unaware of those around you.  You give in to the yearning inside your soul.  A yearning, that before this night, you had no idea even existed, a deep yearning that was growing inside of you second by second as you experienced your surroundings. 

This place, these people. "What is happening?  Where am I?  Who is this host?  What is this feeling that is so powerfully enveloping every ounce of my being?" Excitement builds to an unbearable tension as everyone awaits the entrance of their host.  Desperate to drink in everything you feel and see, you quickly realize you are in no hurry and that you'd be willing to wait an eternity as long as you can continue to feel like you do in this very moment!  Alive!

A sudden hush quiets the ballroom.  At that very moment, all in attendance stand still.  A rush of music ripples through the space.  You can't place its source; all you know is that the sound that fills your ears is felt on the inside of you more than it is heard by your ears.  It's as if gigantic wave has crashed over you. Taking with it every doubt and negative feeling you brought to this grand event.  It was gone, all of it. In an instant.  Grace floods the room and every being inside it.  You notice you are not alone in your experience of this magical space.  Others fall to their knees.  One by one until not a single guest was left standing.  In the unity of confusion, you look at one another.  Each appearing as radiant as the woman who had welcomed all of you at the door.  You feel an unspeakable joy sweep over you.  

Then, the moment all are waiting for arrives.  The lights dim, but only for a second before a bright light burst into the room forcing you and everyone else to shield their eyes.  You desire with all your heart to look up, but the light is so bright, that you cannot look upon it.  Suddenly you know.  It is Him.  Your gracious Host.  A voice rings out, capturing at once all the hearts of those in attendance.  One word is spoken.  One wonderfully fantastic word. "WELCOME!" Time stops.

You. Are. Home.

And you know only one thing, THIS night, is the beginning of a journey to somewhere you never knew you wanted to go. You stand.  Bow your head, and willingly say yes to He who shines before you.  You boldly laugh out loud... gloriously happy for accepting the beautiful invitation you received that one seemingly mundane day, but this is far from mundane! This is something life altering, and "this night", you whisper, is just the beginning of the journey!

Welcome to the party my friends.  Your host, Lord Jesus, King of Kings, is waiting, and YOU have a seat at the table.  Might you join us?

 

The End

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

* A special thanks to my readers for joining me on this journey of faith, you have a seat at His table, and mine.  May God bless you and keep you. *

-Amber Stephens