It is the Table of the Lord

Earlier this week Melissa and I spent some time together practicing an ancient Christian Discipline called contemplative or sacred reading (this discipline is one in which we read a passage of Scripture together several times.  After each reading, we sit in silence, praying for God to reveal to us His message from the passage).  During this time a phrase came to me that I chewed on for a couple of days until the following poem came forth.  It is a poem considering the experience of Communion.

I invite you to read the poem and spend some time with it.  The more I dabble in this form of art the more I realize how deeply personal it is and how difficult it is to translate the message with mere words on a page (or web browser in this case).  Indeed, I think it might be best if I actually recorded it audibly or via video so that you are able to hear the cadence, the pauses and the various pronunciations of words and turns of phrase.  

However, if you take a moment and sit with this piece and attempt to take it in, I believe you might capture the sense of wonder and awe inherent in its words.  In other words I suspect some amount of effort will be required on your part.  At the end of the poem, I will spend some time explaining it, but I would rather you read the work itself first, then seek the explanation after you draw your own conclusions (Of course, as with everything I have written thus far, I am not sure the poem is complete just yet).

As always, feedback is welcome.  Even that which is negative will be considered carefully if disseminated properly (in other words, as Woody (Toy Story) said to Sid, "Play NICE!")!  At any rate, thank you for your time!

IT IS THE TABLE OF THE LORD

Biz Gainey

I sit as a guest

At a table not my own.

Though a comfortable discomfort

I am welcomed;

I am known.

Helplessly;

Wonderfully;

Lovingly;

I’m Home!

Those who dance adorned in splendor,

Those who sing the soul to render

One who did so gasp  . . .

Humbly ready, now surrender.

And how the wine does flow;

Oh and how the wine does flow!

I sit as a guest

At a table not my own.

Sights unseen, the eyes astound

Sheer light caresses in the wind

His touch arouses that most hidden

He invites all who dine;

Come in.

Gowned august and robed as royal

Found without fault or blight

To dine in His presence with each other

Life tastes of sheer delight.

I sit as a guest

At a table not my own.

To reach, to take, so easy

The lavish feast I’m set before

Yet I sit in silence

Humbled

By the host whose eyes now bore

Such warmth into my core

Hands extended though all striving ceased

Before this food that lay me bare

Whittled

Chiseled

Free indeed

At His abundant fare

I see you though you see me not

All ye who long to dine

You eyes betray your real dis ease

Scream, “Invite me” . . .

As though that place were mine

Memory of this moment my thoughts

Stored on His mind

He speaks with silent voice

I hear with ears un seen

Reminded in His dear presence

We must all be invited

by the King

For I dine with others still

Not too different or alike

Guest gathered at His table

In this company we so delight

I sit as a guest

At a table not my own.

The journey is a long one

The path is muddied clear

I cannot invite you to join me

But I know the one you hear

Who speaks with voiced silence

You heed not though you know

That to dine as guest at his table

Means your pride you must swallow

Release is what’s required

To feast so lavishly yet rare

Surrender joy to He whose joy

Is magnified in this fine fare

I sit as a guest

At table not my own

This day we dine together

Here in this space of peace

Where heart, soul, mind and body

Taste freedom’s true release.

Explanation

The title is important as it captures the thrust of the entire poem: the table belongs to God. You will note this theme captured in the phrase that came to me during my time with Melissa: 

"I sit as a guest

At a table not my own."

This idea of being an invited 'guest' is the primary metaphor of the entire poem!

Stanzas 1 - 6 comprise the bulk of the story and attempt to capture the joy inherent in dining with the King.  There is abundance, there is song and dance, wine flowing - a true moment of celebration. There is also a subtle (though minor) tension.  The guest longs to 'reach out and take,' but is overwhelmed and sits in humility to receive.  The guest is finally and at once, home!!

Stanzas 7 - 8 are interesting to me.  In total candor, I am not sure they (7 and 8) should be included in the poem.  I am introducing a perspective that tends to move the story in another direction.  I have left them in because it represents a reality we all deal with: we long for others to join us at the table, but know that it is not in our power to grant them a seating.  In essence that is what these stanzas attempt to capture. The guest is suddenly aware of others who are watching, yet remain distant.  He sees them in a way they are unable to see themselves - a gift reserved for those who dine.  As such, he hears a scream unsaid yet very real.  Alas, he cannot invite them - He is a guest in a delightful company who all share a common reality - they have been invited by the King.

Stanza 9 is a moment in which the guest engages those who do not dine in the only way he/she can - encouragement to hear and see for the very first time.  Embedded here is an important posture that we all must have before the King and at his table: humility and surrender.  Here the great human obstacle to faith is met head on (no it's not intellect or experience, it is simply pride), addressed forthrightly, yet with compassion and desire.  Note this stanza does not diminish the tension of 'hearing and seeing' rightly.  Phrases like 'muddied clear,' and 'voiced silence' attempt to convey the very real tension we experience as we journey this life together.

Stanza 10 is an exclamation mark on the entire piece.  To dine with the king is not merely to occupy a place, but a space - in other words because of this experience every space occupied by our bodies can now be (is) a space of freedom and true release.  The word usage is important and it is intended to convey the reality that to participate in communion is to have it change us - to transform us over time and to be captured by the vision of an eternal unending feast that changes the space we inhabit on a moment by moment basis!

Grace and Peace