Lessons from pizza

A few weeks ago, Savannah, London and I went to a pizza joint in Gresham to get some lunch after church. We'd been to this particular restaurant before, and knew that although it seemed reasonably busy on weekends, it was never to the point where we couldn't get a seat or get our food in a timely manner.

But this particular day was different. We noticed a lot of Corvettes in the parking lot, and quickly realized that the Rose City Corvettes car enthusiast/philanthropy group was having some kind of special dining event at the joint.

A huge section of the restaurant was blocked off for the group, and the small sliver of seating that remained was occupied. We were about to leave, but the attendant at the counter told us that we could sit in the "reserved" section, as long as we were at a tiny table in the corner.

Initially, that seemed like an acceptable idea, but as more and more RCC members came into the restaurant, they got closer and closer to us, and we felt less and less comfortable. Eventually, it appeared that they were going to use every available space in their reserved section, and that we were now intruders, outsiders taking up their precious seating space. Despite my cute baby, we were given some dirty looks as we realized we had to move. We moved away from the crowded tables to another table in the reserved area, but that too appeared to be needed.

So eventually we moved to a dirty table outside the reserved section that had just become available. We both agreed that we felt better just being away from where we clearly didn't belong, so we could enjoy our meal in peace. I would have probably just as soon left the restaurant and got our pizza to go, but it was too late by then.

While we were sitting at our small, dirty table outside the reserved section, I began to think: This is exactly what people who don't put their faith in Jesus Christ will experience someday. There we were, quietly and awkwardly eating our pizza, as the club members were whooping and hollering as they passed out special awards to one another. Their loud jubilance drowned out virtually every other sound in the restaurant. I found them to be a bit elitist overall, but I still found myself wishing I could be in the VIP section, getting prizes and enjoying the merriment.

That's what it will be like. Jesus describes the story of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man goes to Hell, but is fully conscious that Lazarus is in Abraham's bosom (Heaven). In Heaven there will be a great feast with so many loved ones, and the handing out of rewards. Those who don't choose to walk away from their sinful nature and embrace Christ's sacrifice make the choice to leave the party and to sit on the outside, watching in, quietly and awkwardly (and that's a MAJOR understatement).

Another parable Jesus tells involves a great king who invites all the "VIPs" to a big feast, but when many wouldn't come, he invited everyone off the streets and the poor to attend. Maybe the RCC doesn't want us to partake in their little party (and why should they?), but I know I have a God who wants me to party with him forever, and wants me to bring as many friends as I can. I think I will...