I stumble upon a gathering.

The table settings are exquisite, impeccable. The dishes are beautiful, the glasses are sparkling, and the linens are white. Yes, they are so pure and so white.

There are gifts, perfectly wrapped and placed under a tree.

And the guests, they are …wonderful. Beautiful, happy, so gracious in their manners and movements. They beckon me to stay.

It all beckons to me. The contentedness, the comfort, and the joy. It invites me to come and sit for awhile.

I look down. At me.

My shoes are scuffed, my clothes have seen better days time and time again, and my hair is a mess. In my hands I hold a clumsily wrapped package of something I am convinced no one wants. My cheeks burn red. This is no place for me.

I am turning to leave when a voice stops me.

Come, Daughter. 

Not me. You can’t possible mean me. These are not my people. This is not my place. I have nothing to offer. This is too clean, too pure, too perfect for me.

You belong here. Come sit at the table. By Me. There is room for you.

I know this Voice. It’s the voice of my Father, the One who loves me and pursues me.

I step towards Him, at first tentatively, but He beckons me again and I can’t help but run those last few steps. To Him.

He makes a place for me, He gives me new clothes, and He shows me exactly where to put my gift.

The food is filling, the guests are friends, and my gift is needed.

I came with almost nothing to offer, with filthy clothes, and had long-since thought I’d lost my invitation.

But He was waiting for me. He had a seat just for me. He even clothed me! He used my little gift in ways I wouldn’t have dreamed.

And now, He invites you to the table. You are not too dirty, too clumsy, or too awkward. You have something to offer whether you believe it or not. Your invitation is still open.

He accepts you as you are. But when you accept Him, you won’t stay as you are.

You can’t sit with Him day after day and stay unchanged.

Your place waits for  you at the gathering. Will you come to the table?

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.     Isaiah 64:6

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,
    let us give him the glory!
The Marriage of the Lamb has come;
    his Wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown
    of bright and shining linen.
The linen is the righteousness of the saints.  Revelation 8-9 (The Message)