Carried to the Table: The Work of Christ in Our Weaknesses
I was carried to the table, seated where I don’t belong;
Carried to the table, swept away by His love.
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore,
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord.
I’m carried to the table, the table of the Lord.
Today is the first Lord’s Day of January, and moreover, of 2009 and the first Lord’s Supper meal of the year. I should be the first to admit that I did not plan on sharing in the Lord’s Supper with the body of the local Baptist church where I am a member. This morning, I was sitting on the fence about something that was still bothering me, a burden that still was nagging on my heart. You could say that it was the feeling of guilt over previous trespasses I had committed against another, or even unforgiveness and anger for another’s sin against me. Either way, I still didn’t feel right with the Lord this morning, and I didn’t have the spiritual strength within me to come to Table.
For since around mid-November, I had been struggling with hurt, anger and discontentment. I knew that in Christ I was reconciled to him, and even that the impasse that I was holding against a friend was forgiven by God. By all visible measures, you could say that everything was fine; and yet by all visible measures you could also say that it was not. But from seeking the counsel of wiser brothers and sisters, I found myself unfit to participate in the next Lord’s Supper meal because of what was in my heart. In one sense, you could say that I had not fulfilled the requirements of Matthew 5:23-24 (So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.). I carefully and solemnly examined my heart that first Sunday in December, and though biblically I was permitted to partake that Sunday (1 Cor 11:27-32), I chose to refrain from sharing in the Bread and the Vine that Sunday. I think that at that time, it was the right thing to do.
Wounded and forsaken, I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten, feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King into the Master’s courts
Lifted by the Savior and cradled in His arms
Love for my Church and Practing what we Believe
I love my church.
I am part of a visible, local community which cares deeply doctrine.
I am very thankful that every church member desires deeply to live out what we believe.
I praise God that we take the time and effort to carefully discuss how we should run our church.
I love my pastors.
I am part of a body that is shepherded by gifted elders ordained by God.
I am very thankful that every deacon serves the members humbly and self-sacrificially.
I praise God that my church leaders have taught us well in loving God’s Word and living it out daily. (more…)
