Empty Seats
This
past Tuesday Kim and I got home from our respective places of work about the
same time. Knowing that Joanna is always
starving when she gets home at the end of the day, especially now that she has
track practice after school, I suggested we get dinner started as quickly as
possible. I think I was kind of looking
forward to having dinner together—that is, all three of us. With both Jonathan and Nathaniel back at
their colleges as of Monday, a full dinner table is now Kim, Joanna, and I. And, the night before, Joanna was out for the
evening, so Kim and I had eaten dinner alone.
I guess I was really looking forward to having dinner with all three of
us together.
As
Kim and I were cooking and setting the table, I noticed it was getting close to
6 pm and began wondering why Joanna was somewhat late. I found myself peaking towards the front
window, waiting for her to drive up any moment, ready to inform her that dinner
was just about ready. Every so often, I’d glance towards the direction of the
driveway, wondering whether or not I had heard her drive up. Then suddenly it dawned on me: Joanna had a
track meet and would not be home for dinner!
I stopped in my tracks, broke the news to Kim, and proceeded to remove
one place setting from the table. Once
again, Kim and I sat down for dinner—just the two of us, and three empty seats.
It’s
not that Kim and I don’t like having dinner together. It’s just that we are so
used to a full house. And with both boys
away, there does seem to be some consolation in the fact that at least we yet have
Joanna at home with us. The house
doesn’t seem totally deserted. The chairs at the dinner table are not all
empty. But, on Tuesday night it seemed
like we were looking at empty seats. For a moment I think my heart sunk just a
little bit as I longed to have each of my kids back at the table.
Jesus
told the story of a man who was throwing a great big feast. He invited lots of
people to come, but most turned down his invitation and there were going to be lots
of empty seats. So, he sent out another
round of invitations to a whole different group of people. In his instructions to his servants he said, “‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and
make them come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23 – NIV) With those words, Jesus was expressing the
longing of God’s heart. He was revealing
God’s desire that not one seat in heaven should be left empty; that many would
be saved and made children of God—that each of us should be found in our seats
at God’s table.
I’m
thankful today that, as much as I long to have my kids with me at my dinner
table, God is longing—and even much more so—for each of us to be with him. What
a wonderful Father he is!
Have
a great day!
Pastor
Tim Harris
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