Midweek Moment

As you all know, this past week we had our Annual Easter Tableau. Prior to my arrival at Druid Hills, I had never heard of a Tableau and was not familiar with it at all. Now, after being exposed to it for the last three years, I absolutely love the Tableau! The opportunity we get to touch lives, witness to the Good News of the Gospel, and reach out to this community is indelible.

But that is just the beginning. As guardian of the prayer tent, as celebrant over the Holy Communion, I get to see the impact this Easter Tableau has on those that witness it. I get to hear their voice, see their emotion, and pray for their concerns. I also get a tad bold in the tent and ask them what they thought of the presentation. This year, every single person went out of their way to express how moved they felt as they traveled through and witnessed those scenes from the last days of Christ's life on Earth. It is one thing to hear this story and/or read this story. It is entirely different to see the story! And it is in that seeing that God is revealed in many wonderful ways.

I had one family come through for prayer and communion. They had just moved into the area from up north and had only been in Ocala for a handful of days. They were moving to Florida to follow a job and had to sell one of their cars to help pay for the move. They were returning home from picking up the father/husband from work. The caveat was that he was two hours late getting off work. Two hours. Not minutes. Hours. They happened to drive by and see the Tableau in full swing, and in a moment of spontaneity, decided to drive through. They were so moved by what they witnessed and felt, they parked and came into the tent. The mom and dad were extremely emotional as we spoke and often times had to pause to get their voice back. They were so appreciative of this time with God and thankful for our efforts in creating this environment. Now imagine what would have happened if dad got off work on time. They would have driven by before we started and never driven through. God redeemed that late discharge from work by giving this family an experience with him through our Easter Tableau.

As Easter people we have a responsibility to spread the Good News of the Gospel. One way we here at Druid Hills UMC do that, is through the Easter Tableau. Therefore, I encourage you to find ways to be Easter people every day; to be Tableau people every day. Let that story of God's love permeate your entire being. Cause the people in your wake to become emotional because you shared the love of God through word or deed. Force this world to be a better place because you lived in it. Let this story of love, sacrifice, humility, servanthood, redemption, and forgiveness be shared with all you encounter. Let this story, be the story of your life so that through you, others may know that He lived and that He is alive forevermore!

Have a great week and I will see you all on Sunday!