Terminal Distraction

I was so excited! I had won an all-expense paid trip to an island paradise and it was finally time to leave.

As the car arrived to take me to the terminal, the trim sparkled, the tires glistened, and the glass was like crystal. I was welcomed into the car by the suppleness of the leather and the smoothness of everything I touched. The powerful engine quickly propelled me to the terminal.

At the terminal, I was pampered with luxury. Attendants carried my bags and I was left to tarry there in the terminal. I wandered the great hall and found there a means to meet my every desire. I found a cushioned place in which to rest, and escaped in various stories I found in the vast bookstore. I indulged in the decadence of an endless supply of cinnamon pastries and soft pretzels, until the thought of my destination seemed a distant memory. I made up my mind to live in that terminal and be quite content.

Then, as I reclined somewhere between the shoeshine stand and the pizza vendor, a stranger approached me, dressed in an apron. He seemed to know exactly who I was, and addressed me by my name. He handed me a tropical cocktail with all the vibrant colors and succulent delicacies of the islands. When I sat up to pay the strange servant, he simply said, “I have paid the price. Remember me!”

I leaned forward and took a sip. As the fragrant concoction washed over my tongue, I could almost see the coconut trees! I took a bit of pineapple off the rim of my cup and put it into my mouth. The beaches! The warm breeze! I could taste it! I could feel it. I could remember it. All at once, in the tasting of the stuff of that token cup, what I was missing became apparent to me.

How could I have been so blinded by the distractions of the port that I forgot my destination? How could I have fallen in love with the props and glamor of the terminal that I had betrayed the prospect of paradise?

This life and everything in it are mere distractions. Fear, pride, greed, lust, fanaticism, ambition, these are the idolatries that seek to divide us from our devotion to the goal.

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul describes the purpose of the bread and wine of our communion sacrament, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” “Do this, whenever you drink it,” Christ instructed, “in remembrance of me.”

Remember Him! Do not be distracted by the illusions of this world and all its cares.

Remember Him! Proclaim His death until He comes. Claim it for yourself.

Remember Him! Apply the Bread of His flesh to your dry bones.

Remember Him! Wash white your filthy existence in the blood of the Lamb.

Remember Him! Consider the lashes He bore for your sin, the price He paid for your redemption.

Remember Him! Take now this token meal, and look forward to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' These are the true words of God. (Rev.19:9)

Remember Him!



Note to reader(s): I haven't posted in a while, because I would rather be silent than write when I have nothing to say. When the Spirit moves me to write, I write. When I have nothing to say, I read or pray. It was time for another communion meditation, so I forced myself to write. What do you know? When you schedule an appointment with the Spirit, God never fails!