The Feast (Part I)

The table is set.

Esteemed guests have made their way to the King's table, coming from near and far.

There are placards at every seat at a table that seemingly has no end. The aroma is unlike anything you've ever smelled. So many scents intertwining and strangely enough your nose is able to distinguish between the various foods.

Familiar faces align the table and many you do not know. They sound the trumpets. Your heart begins to pound. The King is entering the room. You've spent hours roaming to and fro looking for your name and can't find it.

The small, still voice inside you guides you closer and closer to the head of the table. This must be some sort of mistake. Your eyes can't believe what they're seeing. You are seated to the left of the King within an arm's reach.

Though uneasy you begin to sit down. When you do a member of the opposite sex, who has a captivating smile, twinkle in their eyes, dressed to the nine's walks over to you. They are stunning. With a smile, manners that instantly tear through your defenses. You are helpless. You feel so at-ease.

'I'm sorry but the King no longer desires you to sit there,' he/she says.

Wow. Those words sting. They're some of the most hurtful words you've ever heard. Though you have never personally met the King-- He is still the ruler of the land, remains the most famous and powerful and though you've never shared the same airspace with Him, you still look up to and love Him.

They continue.

'I've heard from the King. He no longer wants you here as a guest of His feast.'

You burst into tears! Confused, hurt, heart-broken. You run outside behind the castle to the dumpster as the pangs of hunger overwhelm you.

How could this be?

One minute you felt so special only to be met with your worst nightmare. Not only were your ushered away, but people laughed at you. You were mortified. Your special day had become anything but.

Meanwhile, inside, the King has had His royal procession, concluding with Him taking His seat at the head of the table. As He is thanking everyone for coming . . . something unbelievable happens.

He goes on and on for 10 minutes, telling the distinguished and grateful guests how He was honored with one person's presence, being in attendance, in particular.

 'This person is very special to me. He may not know it due to how he feels about himself, but he is amazing. Ladies and gentleman, I want you to give a big round of applause for my dear friend, my beloved _________."

He's talking about YOU!!

As the crowd roars and applause thunders throughout the banquet hall everyone looks around. You're nowhere to be found.

You hear the roar. You wonder what's going on, but you've been kicked out. Well, you weren't really banished. You chose to leave.

After a minute straight and awkward looks all around . . . the King's countenance is suddenly downcast. He calls his top aides over. Where is he?!? He makes no effort to hide the hurt as huge tears form in His eyes before rolling down His face. Although he is the richest man in the Kingdom, He is the most sincere, loving and compassionate as well.

With everyone not knowing what to do, and time standing still, with such an unbelievable sensory overload, the crowd's natural instincts take over. They begin to eat. Everyone is laughing, smiling, joking and soaking in the moment.

But not the King. He is, at this point, sobbing unbeknownst his guests.

Meanwhile, your natural instincts take over and though an invitation and faith brought you from a far-away land, you are HUNGRY.

You rummage through the dumpsters and with such a glorious feast what you find is enough to scrounge together a makeshift meal. It's not the amount of delectable goodness they are devouring inside the banquet hall, but it's enough.

At least you don't feel like you're starving anymore.

What's the King doing? He's left the feast. In his sorrow, he assembled a search team. Who are they looking for?

You!

The guests don't even notice He's gone.