So, something really amazing that our base mentors/base logistics/etc do for us every Monday is a sort of worship writing workshop to empower and encourage us to step into creating poems, short stories, and songs. This is something I wrote as an ‘assignment’ based on the feast analogy of the gospel.
My hands clammy with sweat clutch the thick parchment envelope tighter with each step I take down the road. The bright, unfamiliar sun reflects harshly on the large mansions with many enormous windows behind tall brick walls along the wide cobbled street. The wind carries the sweet scent of honeysuckle as gentle chimes spin soft notes somewhere in the distance. Everything sits still and quiet. I have never felt so out of place.
My clothes are stained with soot, and the stench of burning trash clings to me as desperate lover. The absence of dark shadows to hide in make me feel exposed and vulnerable, sun light is stripping me of any illusions I might have about my state of being. Theres no hiding the dirt of my past deeds or the mark of an enemy and a rebel upon my face. Nervoulsy I smooth my greasy locks over my forehead in a futile attempt to hide from the onlookers.
Because there were people watching, peeking out from behind velvet curtians. Faces full of disgust and sneers. Hands trembling, fearing I was mistaken, I unfold a letter of elegant cursive noting an invitation to a grand party addressed to me, sealed with an ornate, crimson, wax seal. The seal of the King.
There was no mistaking it. The address leads right here. Looking up I survayed easily the grandest mansion of them all. In front stands an open gate of intricate gold and pearl, behind which rolling multicolored lawns of flowers, neat shrubs, and trees of all shape and size stand sending scents of indescribable pleasure into my nose. The castle itself is large and proud, made of glistening limestone and countless windows, all with open curtains fluttering freely in the breeze. Never before have I seen such splendor!
A handsome man dressed impeccably in a crisp suit approached me from the gate where he had stood waiting.
“Aha!” He said smiling widely. “The guest of honor has finally arrived! I’m so happy you made it!” The man grasped my hand firmly and shook it as if he were meeting the High King Himself. Placing his arm at my waist he starts to lead me gently through the lawn. I’m shocked that he is unafraid of my grime, but I noticed that as dirty as I was, not a particle of soot stuck to him, and my vile scent was completely overpowered by his cologne of a marvelous smell I can’t quite place.
Soon I am taken in through the grand entrance hall, up wide marble stairs to a bathroom more lavishly decorated than I could’ve imagined in a million dreams.
“In there you will find your gown for this evening’s dinner. Please bathe, change, and meet me downstairs at your leisure.” He spoke gently, nothing like the harshness I was used to. It was all so unfamiliar. And with that, he was gone.
The large ceramic basin was full of a deep red liquid. I know with all certainty that it was filled with much hardship, pain, and sacrifice. Never before have I ever wanted something so bad, and yet been so breathlessly apprehensive. After this everything will be different. I can never return to what I have known all my life, everything that has brought me comfort, no matter how disgusting and depressing it is, will have to be left behind. But the sweet aroma of a feast was wafting through a vent, and I saw the kind face of the man who looked as if he could only see the good in me. And the King, the one I had betrayed and rebelled against wanted me. He was giving me this chance to begin a new. He was waiting for me just downstairs. I have made my decision.
The liquid is hot, almost burning. I can feel all the filth fleeing from my skin and hair, leaving only slightly raw renewal. It is reviving, refreshing, like I have been trying to breath water my whole life and suddenly my lungs fill with the cleanest mountain air. Nothing could compare. The wool is lifted from my eyes and I can finally see in such clarity how truly dark the deeds I had done were. But even more so I can see just how much the High King really does love me.
As quick as I can, I pull on my fine gown. Such garments woven with jewels, I have never seen, but it matters so little next to my desire to see the King. I relize the sorrow I feel at what I have done, and pray that he will show grace and mercy. There is no going back, and no more hiding.
I throw open the doors to the hall, tears are streaming down my face, salt of them upon my lips. There he sits. A magnificant crown and a glow of glory. There are other faces at the table, but I dont see them. I run to him and fling myself at his feet, feeling such grief as I have never known before.
“Please forgive me! I didn’t deserve this invitation! I don’t deserve to be here. But before you throw me out please let me look upon your face!”
“My dear!” A familiar voice cries out. Looking up I see the warm face of the man from before, now decked in jewels and the fine robes I’m still clutching in my hand. Slowly he gathers my hands in his, cupping them gently he speaks in a voice like soft summer thunder.
“Throw you out? I want to adopt you! That invitation was no mistake. I sent it to you, because I wanted you here. But you had to decide to come, decide to accept my blood that I shed for you. Nothing pleases me more than the fact that you came! You’re here!” He raises me to my feet, embraces me with strong arms of justice and grace.
“B-but…” I stutter wordlessly, openly weeping onto his shoulder.
“You are my daughter. No longer do you wallow in the depths of darkness and despair, a slave to your fears and self loathing. No longer must you stay away, for I have made you clean! Here you have freedom! All I have is yours! Allow no one to shame you, their looks of disgust are misplaced, because you are clean. Royalty and power are the robes you now wear!”
Joy overwhelmed me with waves of grace and peace. Nothing would ever be the same, and I couldn’t wish for anything more. I ate from his table till the end of my days, laughing and enjoying the delectable delights of his dinner. Forever my heart is his, and forever I sing of his glory and grace.
Thank you so much for reading! I also wrote a couple other blogs. So, go to my homepage to check out what I’ve been up to this past month!
