The way they looked at each other made others blush, envying the affection between them.
This couple had a love that showed in how they worked together, talked to and about each other, the sparkle in their eyes … that gateway to their souls, proclaiming that what others saw was real, authentic love.
I remember the shock that I felt in every fibre of my body, mind and soul when I heard that he had left her, left their family for the arms of another woman.
How could we, who believed in the love they were exhibiting, be so wrong? How could a love that seemed so real be such a sham?
This memory from the past came to my mind as I participated in communion, last weekend.
There is a reckoning, a getting real that happens when one is being invited to participate in communion.
Often there is a moment of opportunity to privately deal with our sin-stuff prior to participating. This opportunity always tugs at my heart, for I know I do not come to the communion table EVER with clean hands and heart.
You see we can shower and dress carefully, shave and ensure our make-up is applied expertly. We can shake hands and smile warmly, with seemingly abundant joy emanating from us. We can sign up to help with an outreach event, a dinner for the homeless, childcare during church. We can place our tithe in the basket, or direct deposit our giving. We can offer to pray to our social media friends. We can dine with the pastor …
But, when we come to take communion, to share in communion, share in the taking of his body, his blood …
None of what we do matters. None of how we look to others matters …
Like the seemingly perfect couple, it is who we are when we stand with the one we are linked to, in a convenant relationship.
It is who we are when stand before our God. How we pray, speak to him … when no one else is around. How we represent him, when no one is looking.
He knows our hearts. He knows we come to the table dirty.
We simply have to recognize that it is only he who can make us clean enough to come to his table.
“But the Lord said to Samuel,
“Do not consider his appearance or his height,
for I have rejected him.
The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
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