Redesigning the Table

Redesigning the Table

In the third Creative Writing Lab, the assignment was to redesign either the apple, the cow, or the table. We’ve already seen the redesign of a cow. Here is one about re-making the table…a clever turn on the exercise using biblical quotes that fit the topic.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me!” (Rev. 3:20)

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:37-38)

“Ahhh. Breathe in that fresh air. Mmmm. Feel that warm sunlight. Ohhh. Taste that sweet cool moisture.” How I thanked my Creator for springtime when I could sprout my tender stem and leaf. I burst forth, ever looking upward, from my cramped coffin of a hard seed shell and crusty earth. I’d fallen, died, and was buried, still and cold, for a long time.

Then, I came alive. My branches and leaves couldn’t stop swaying praises to the Lord for His goodness and mercy. I joined in singing with the birds from morning to night: “Hallelujah! Thank You, Lord of all creation.”

The many years that passed by seemed but like a few moments, when one day, “Hum, who’s coming? Could it really be?” I wondered to myself. I’d never heard the footsteps of my Creator, but I instantly knew it was Him.

I heard Him mutter as He stopped in front of me, “Ah, this is a fine specimen of a strong Cedar tree. Come. You are invited to come into My Household,” he spoke to me in a pleased tone.

Wow! He noticed me and invited me to belong to Him. “Oh, Yes. Thank You,” I answered eagerly. Quickly, I was felled, sent, and delivered to the Master Carpenter Himself. He looked at me with love and thanks, explaining that it might hurt a bit at first, but that He’d make something even more beautiful out of me.

So, with careful and intentional precision, He planned and designed, cut and carved, and sanded and shaped me into a new creation. His hands were strong, yet tender, as He finally wedged and fit me together, almost seamlessly. Joy and enthusiasm from His heart danced all around the room, clapping and celebrating with singing and melodies.

“Now,” He mused to Himself, “the final touch.” I quickly recognized my kin’s fragrance as He opened a jar of olive tree oil. As the Carpenter anointed my surface with this oil and rubbed every crack and crevice, I felt a healing balm seep into my depths. I felt vibrantly awakened and alive like never before. As He bent over me, the shining glory of His smiling face seemed to transfer into my every fibrous cell. “There,” He exclaimed, as He put the rubbing cloth down.

Then, oddly, He picked up a hand mirror.

“Want to see what you look like?” He asked.

As I nodded, I was instantly amazed at what I saw. It was like the image and radiance of His likeness was glowing from my surface. I looked so beautiful! Actual tears started to well up as I argued, “But I’m only a piece of wood. How can I look so much like You?”

He humbly explained that He put His image in me so I could shine for Him and live to know and honor Him. His eyes twinkled as He invited me to dance for Him too. Then, of all things, He proceeded to give me my first dancing lesson. We had a joyous and precious time together. I’ll never forget it.

Under a bright shining light that appeared in the workshop, He named me and commissioned me into His own Household. Wow, I thought, I’m The Table. Pleased to meet you, whom He fashioned to be very special.” In fact, right then, even before I ever held a plate, He told me He loved me and was well pleased with me. He told me I was fearfully and wonderfully made, and not a mistake. He told me He had a plan and a purpose, and a hope and a future for me. He told me I would be the heart of His soon-and-upcoming ministry during those 3 years.

“Me, a table…the heart of Your ministry? How can that be?” I felt confused. I mean, I immediately pictured myself hidden under a tablecloth and stuck in a dark and empty dining room 24/7 when everyone else was out having fun most of the time. I couldn’t believe I was already having doubts and believing lies, just after the wonderful things He had spoken to me. I mean, His motive wasn’t to withhold good things from me. I knew His heart was pure and good with no evil in Him. I’m glad I didn’t try to hide my thoughts. I somehow knew He knew what I was thinking.

He helped draw out more feelings in me.

“Do you think you’ll feel unimportant, useless, hidden, and forgotten as a table?” Do you think people will just make messes on you, or slap their hands on you when they get excited making a point during the conversation? Or, do you think you’re only created to work hard and serve others and keep on giving even when you feel tired, empty, needy, or starving as you hold a feast on your breaking back for everyone else?”

Hum, I started remembering hearing family stories of my great-great grandparents’ time. Some of them had also become tables. Wow, did they ever get some excitement in their lives. I’ve always been intrigued by Abram’s picnic in the Valley of Shaveh with the Priest and King Melchizedek. It must’ve been such a blessed time over the “picnic table” of bread and wine they shared together. That was such a prophetic moment, too sacred almost to talk about.

Then, in the palace, King David’s grand table surely was blessed by his kindness to crippled Mephibosheth. Instead of the death he deserved as a kin of the late King Saul, David invited him to life and abundance at his personal table. I’ll bet the table taught that man to roll up the carpet and sing and dance, offering its extra legs, of course. That was another prophetic gem.

Esther’s banquet table must’ve had an amusing time—twice. It got to hear proud Hamen’s boastings become pleadings for his life. Yes, life and death matters were discussed at his table, not only for one man, but for a whole Nation.

I was glad my Carpenter went on speaking, even though I had to stop remembering all those table-relatives’ cool adventures. In hushed tones and with great deliberation and love, He specifically told me three things always to remember: 1. He wasn’t mad at me. 2. He made me and liked me., And 3. He wanted to spend time with me. He had come, He explained, to restore my broken relationship with His Abba, and bring us back close together.

“Wait! I thought I was a table and destined to serve you and your friends. I mean, I figured I had work and duties, ministries and programs, obligations and commitments to fulfill and perform. You mean I don’t have a task-oriented, performance-based, tired and worn out life ahead of me?”

I was amazed to hear Him roar with laughter. Then, He got serious and exclaimed with passion, “No, that’s the work of the enemy. He comes to steal and lure you away from our special time together. He tries to make ‘rest,’ ‘stillness,’ ‘soaking,’ ‘listening,’ meditating on His Word, and such, seem unimportant and a waste of time. He puts thoughts into your mind with deceptive messages that seem urgent or true. He entices you with distractions from the world that only end in futility. He can also make you feel so depressed and defeated you can hardly even cry out to Me. Yes, and even seemingly good things can block you from the primary reason of your creation, so beware.”

“No,” He went on, “I haven’t called you to be My property and insist on your service. I’ve called you to be in a close relationship with Myself and My Abba. I want you to know Me and My ways; also, I want to spend time listening to you tell Me all about your concerns. I just want to show you My goodness and kindness, surprises and comforts, gifts and blessings. I want you as My ‘son, not my slave.’ You are my precious treasure and My best workmanship. You are one of a kind, and no one else can fill your place.”

My Creator Carpenter’s heart was overflowing now, with joy and exhilaration, as He continued to explain all of who He had made me to be. “And, as My ‘son,’ you are My heir. All I have is yours. I’ve come to take from you your bruised and broken heart, and give you a new healed and whole heart of love and forgiveness, peace and joy, like Mine. I’ve come to give you freedom and to release you from prisons of all sorts. I love to give beauty and take your ashes far away. I remove mourning and sadness, and give delight and gladness instead. I love to give you a heart of praise, thankfulness, and hope instead of despair and doom. My work is to restore, rebuild, reconcile, and renew. I especially like to make dead things come alive, and sickness and disease go away. “In My Household, the lepers are cleansed and the demons have to leave.” (Isaiah 61, Matt.10:6-8)

“In fact,” He went on, “the greatest way you can live your life is in closeness with Abba and His Son, the Beloved Bridegroom. The time is coming soon when those special intimate relationships developed will be culminated at ‘The Table of Tables’: the great Wedding Supper of the Lamb. The great drama of Abba giving His Son His Bride is about to take place. Many things need to come to pass first, but the invitations are being delivered.” I felt my knees bend as my heart bowed in adoration to such an awesome Abba that I get to spend the rest of my life getting to know and worship. (Revelation 19)

When I looked up and began to stand, Abba’s Son, my Creator Carpenter, reached out His arm to me as He commended my growing love for Himself and His Abba!

“Which leads me to explain”, He went on, without skipping a beat, “that before this happens, there is work to be done! But, it’s in the context of an intimate, close, abiding relationship with Abba that you will discover and fulfil your destiny. I’m already well pleased with you, so, remember, any labor in My Household is not to receive approval, love, or merit. Rather, it is a time of continued intimacy, a sharing partnership and co-laboring together that melts your heart even closer to your Abba. Nothing can be a substitute for spending time intimately together with Him.”

“Maybe you’ll overhear Me say in a couple of years, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28 -30)

“Whew,” I exclaimed. I was starting to feel overloaded such that my knees began wobbling. It was all so much to take in. It all sounded so exciting…uh, maybe a little over-whelming…yet, thrilling. But, I was still wondering about that one thing He had said when He named and commissioned me. What was it? Oh, yeah, He told me I would be the heart of His soon-and-upcoming ministry during those three years…hmmm.

Without skipping another beat, my Creator Carpenter stopped short. He smiled so sheepishly and sweetly. He apologized for going on and on about all the details involved in my new life, when I was still hardly a sprout. I could tell He loved me so much and just wanted to spend time and share His heart and future with me. He only wanted me to get started on the right track with the right mind-set.

Then, He confided that, in a short time He would be putting down His tools and closing His workshop door. The time was coming soon that He’d be about His Abba’s work and ministry. He invited me to be His “table” where He would sit with His friends. I gulped and tried to keep focused. He explained that “the table” is a place of intimacy and development of relationships. It’s a place where He hoped to nurture His friends in an atmosphere of unconditional love, approval, and affirmation. As the Source of Life itself, He desired to pour Himself out as the Bread of life from heaven, and the living water that wells up to eternal life. He said He would be eating at many friends’ homes and having many interesting conversations.

Then, He warned me, “I will also have many enemies.” Under His breath He added, “…you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies….” (Ps. 23:5) Upon hearing this, I felt every sliver within me start to bristle and sharpen. Then He paced back and forth as He went on giving me a “heads up” concerning the one last supper He’d be sharing with His special twelve friends in the upper room. He declared the eager desire He held in His heart, even then, for that hour coming soon, when they would recline at the table. By then, I felt my knees weaken again and my grain begin to stir until I heard Him stop and say, “This table will serve the cup of wine and the broken bread. It will symbolize what I will do in giving my life so a New Covenant that can replace the Old. He told me not to be afraid or take up offense, but to forgive and to keep my eyes fixed on Him, who, for the joy set before Him would endure the cross, scorn its shame, and then sit down at the right hand of His Abba’s throne. (Heb. 12:2)

Whew! My legs could hold me upright no longer and my heart could only bow face down in worship and adoration to my Abba’s Son. After a while, as He helped me up, my eyes were blurred with moisture and I also needed to blow my nose. Of all things, He stuck out His sleeve for me to use. We both laughed…and hugged. I needed that. Wow, yes. Then I declared I really wanted to get to know Him, Abba’s Son, more. At that, He told me His Name. “Just call Me Jesus. I can tell we’re going to have a great time together. Now, how about another dancing lesson. Really kick up your heels this time.” One, and two, and one, two, three.

As we whirled around to the glorious music filling His workshop, I proposed in my heart to always live in the Presence of my Jesus, 24/7. “You are my food and drink, Jesus,” I whispered. “My table is set for You all the time, filled with Your Living Bread and Water of Life. Thank You for finding me and inviting me into Your Household. Thank You for loving and restoring me. Thank You for offering Yourself to everyone who is thirsty and comes. Thank You for giving Your all for me. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.”

Margie Eckloff lives in Auburn, Washington where she “is learning to sit in His Presence and have my table set all the time!"

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