The Pleasure Of His Company

The Pleasure of His Company

I’m an introvert at heart. I give this disclaimer often, because my work sometimes requires that I masquerade as the sort of extrovert I am not. I teach. Travel. Speak to groups of all sizes and meet strangers with regularity. But I’m always a little apprehensive at the mix-and-mingle stuff that’s expected of me. Honestly, I’d rather be out with just a few good friends or curled up at home with a cup of tea and a good book.

A few months ago I traveled to another state for a client event where I knew only the hosts and none of the two hundred or so attendees, most of whom I expected to have little in common with. The sprawling resort was perfect for golf or tennis, but I play neither. And the first evening was a steep challenge: a large cocktail reception, then an entire ballroom full of dinner tables to navigate. The thought of both left me feeling like a seventh grader approaching the lunchroom on the first day of junior high: where would I sit? Who would I talk to? What would I say?

As I checked in to the hotel that afternoon, the desk clerk handed me my room key, then said, “Oh, I have something here for you.” She produced a cream-colored envelope with my name handwritten on it. I opened it and read: “Mr. and Mrs. __________ and Mr. ___________ request the pleasure of your company for dinner at 8 p.m.” I could have cried with relief. I had a place to go and three of the few people I knew there to share a meal with. I was included.

I kept the envelope and the blue card it contained. They remind me that my heavenly Father has also made a place for me at his table. That I always have somewhere to go, a place where fellowship, familiarity, and God’s presence await. In spite of my feelings of unworthiness or awareness of my meager pedigree, there is a place where I am always welcomed, wanted, and loved.

The pleasure of his company is never far away.

I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20, NIV