What’s a King to do? Your son, the heir – the only heir – is getting married! The feast or the party has got to be epic! It has to be a phenomenal banquet, without problems, without room for error. It all must be bigger than life-itself! It has to destroy all previously known parties…destroy them…eradicate and squish them…
Lots of flowers…flowers everywhere, gardens of flowers, bouquets of flowers, dancing girls galore, competing and dueling Dj booths, live bands and differing entertainment venues…even a petting zoo…everyone loves the little animals…what about pony rides? And countless party favors at every table, with huge artistic ice sculptures, Champagne fountains, and cheese fondue’s, chocolate has got to be in abundance…chocolate flown in from quaint little villages of Europe…
But that’s hardly all…to pull this all off -multiple wedding planners would be necessary, a website needs to be designed and seating flow charts created. Photographer, Videographer, caterer, multiple florists hired and (of course) an officiate found! Hair and makeup artists will be necessary…brunches must be planned for, spa trips for pedi’s and mani’s, tents, tables, arches and photo booths reserved, programs printed up, gifts purchased…and remarks scripted.
And then, aisle runners made of pure silk, three or four bakeries hired, transportation reserved, buses, trolleys and limos…horse drawn carriage rides and yoga classes for the entire wedding party and massage tables galore…the guest must be content, you know! Everything needs to be thought of and the timing needs to be down to the second. People cannot be bored. Food must be served hot. A sit down dinner for hundreds and hundreds of guests. Appetizers to die for…and deserts that melt in your mouth…wines from around the world will have to be paired with the main meal.
It will be the best ever! Flawless. Perfect.
But, the guests did not return the invitations…those re-contacted made excuses – there were only a couple of RSVP’s in hand. The food was quickly turning bad. Something had to be done.
So the King sent out more messengers, more heralds, commanding the entire town and all the surrounding villages to come to the Wedding feast. Every man and woman would be invited…every single one of them without exception…rich and poor, lame and blind…widow and widower, alike.
All will be given the royal treatment…all will become most honored guests…all will find a place at the table…
The problem was the flowers were wilting, the vats of green beans had turned rubbery, the chicken cordon bleu was ruined and blackened, the lettuce had all turned limp…and the ice had melted.
The “petting zoo” and the ponies defecated and urinated all over the palace…55 gallon drums of Chlorine or Clorox had to be immediately ordered. The food would need to be plowed under and the setting up and the maintenance of – a composting system immediately established…a new menu would need to be instantly planned…new programs arranged for, fresh bakeries contacted and an open seating chart established.
The wedding would go off as planned – but just a day or two later. It would still be epic…the king would see to it. Hundreds and hundreds of wait staff members and cleaning staff members were hired.
Everything was refreshed….and made ready…
The King was happy, the King’s son was happy and the Bride-to-be was no longer a bride-zilla. Things were looking up…that is, until the King made his first initial appearance and noticed a guest milling around – inappropriately dressed. This could not be. Propriety was still expected. Guests could not just do anything. This was no “free-for-all” it was a “royal wedding” and a “royal affair.” Proper etiquette and proper protocol were still expected.
The man was carried out into the outer darkness using the fireman’s lift transfer utilizing two rather large and bulky individuals. Weeping and gnashing could be heard from the out-of-doors.
People know there are rules. People know you cannot do anything you want. People know we must be responsible for our actions and deeds. People do know – that there will one day be consequences.
So somewhere deep down on the inside we know that many are called but only a few may be chosen.
So when it comes to the Kingdom, will you be “in” or “out?” And of course, you do realize there is time to change.
It is called a period of grace. Use it wisely! Amen.