Reflecting on life
My name is Robert and as I sit here in front of my raging fire, reclining into my comfortable blue armchair covered in a woolen blanket my wife knitted me,
I am reflecting on a life well lived. These winter nights are my favourite because they give me the opportunity to really reflect on what God has done in my life.
I am now 72 years old and have lived a wonderful life. Let me tell you about one of my favourite memories. I used to work for a king as his personal messenger. I loved this job. The king gave me the opportunity to travel across the nation delivering messages and my favourite part was inviting people to royal banquets.
I would arrive at the houses and I would introduce myself, then read them the royal invite. I loved seeing the joy in their faces when I was reading their invitation. Everyone likes free food but free food from the king's table plus the company of the king - what a privilege!
Preparations
Out of all of the banquets I've invited people to, there is one that has remained in my mind for all of these years. This was the banquet of all banquets. The king wanted everyone there. As you can imagine, for many reasons this banquet took a long time to plan and it took many months to get across the nation to invite everyone the king wanted there.
Once this banquet finally came to fruition it was incredible. The great hall was decorated from top to bottom. Decorations hung like falling comets. Candles lit the great hall like the rising son. The music and entertainment was the best in the nation and the dancing was full as so much joy and energy.
Just imagine what it smelt like. It was finest combination of herbs, spices and every food you could think of. It was laid out on the centre table which seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see.
All of those things were very impressive and created fond memories. In saying that, it wasn't the food, dancing or anything about the night that made this banquet so memorable to me. It was three separate encounters I had when inviting guests to the banquet.
Sending invitations
While sitting here in front of my fire, I reflect on what God could have done if these three guests had chosen to take the opportunity to let Him use them instead of being so consumed by what was going on in their personal lives.
Let’s start with Joshua. When I arrived at the Ross Manor I made my way up the stairs and knocked on the big wooden doors. I was met by Joshua who was rushing out the door. He said, “Hello, sorry I can’t stay. I have business to attend to.”
So I quickly introduced myself as a messenger for the King then read out the official invitation to the banquet. To my surprise Mr, Ross said, “Sorry I can’t attend the banquet. I have just won the auction of a field and I must go and visit it. Please excuse me,” And he rushed off down the stairs.
I stood there rather stunned to be honest. When I realised I had been there for a little while I moved on to the next house.
Next was the Howard estate. I knocked on the front door and was met by one of the house butlers. I introduced myself but before I could finish he slammed the door and ran upstairs.
A little shocked I knocked again. James Howard answered the door this time. He apologised for his butler and he said he gets excited when it comes to all things royal.
So I read the invitation to Mr Howard. He looked me in the eyes and very graciously said, “I am sorry. I can not come to the banquet.” He went on to tell me that he had just purchased new oxen and that he had to go and test them out. I thought to myself really, again?
So on to the next house. I went down the road to the house of Master Michael and Lady Natalie of Kinloch. Lady Natalie came to the door. I introduced myself and as always read out the royal invitation.
It happened again. I was met with another excuse. Lady Natalie told me that she and Master Michael had recently married and because of this they could not attend the banquet. So I returned to the palace to inform the king.
Time to reflect
On the journey back home, I had time to think long and hard about the last three encounters I had experienced. Over the years, these events have constantly come to mind and I often have reflected on what would have happened if these guests had chosen a different path other than rejecting the invitation.
Let me go and put another log on the fire. When I come back, I will tell you about how I believe Joshua Ross, James Howard and Lady Natalie could have responded that would have given God the opportunity to use their situations as a blessing.
Barry Kirby is a disciple of Jesus Christ, living in relationship with Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Barry works and worships with the Salvation Army based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Barry Kirby is a disciple of Jesus Christ, living in relationship with Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Barry works and worships with the Salvation Army based in Wellington, New Zealand.