Once upon a time a great king invites everyone to a party at his palace. There is only one condition: everyone must wear formal attire.
On the afternoon of the party Peter, a young worker, stands sadly outside the palace looking in.
"Why are you so sad?" Peter turns around and sees the king. "Oh your majesty, I'm sorry; I cannot go to the reception today because I have no fine clothing." "I'll have none of that," says the King and calls his own son to go with Peter. "He will give you the clothes that you need."
Peter is outfitted in fine linen, silk and wool." The king's son says, "Give me these other clothes and we will throw them away." But Peter says, "No. No. No. I may need these clothes. I might need them." The prince tries to persuade Peter but he will have none of it.
As the party begins, Peter bends down, picks up his bundle of old rags, puts them under his arm and goes into the reception. All evening, Peter is unable to enjoy himself as he has this bundle of rags under his arm.
He cannot dance with only one arm free; he can only sample the food and drinks. He sort of feels out of it, so he stays on the edges of the dance floor, on the edge of party, because he is carrying his bundle of old rags. (Internet Source)
How many ways do we fit this story? It is so sad that we trudge along with our bundle of old rags that we carry, like so much baggage, from our past life. The King's Son has removed all the filth of sin from us, but we carry our habits under our arms like rags.
Why are we not free to be filled with joy? To dance? To eat with both hands of the gifts of creation given us daily? To drink in the sunshine and taste the sweet air? To be filled with gratitude for the invitation and the glimpse of the Great Banquet Hall we will one day inherit?
Why can we not celebrate and share this joy with all our family members and all our neighbours and all members of the Kingdom? To proclaim the joy and extend the invitation?
As Christians who have heard the Good News, stewardship is not an option; it is a must. With the invitation comes the Spirit of the King, the drive and the desire to free others from their bundle of old rags.
Our invitation from the King is also to enjoy the banquet. To be free; to celebrate. Why else were we invited?
