I’ve written about this song before, but a recent concert experience brought the lyrics back to mind from a different perspective.
(And hooray for live music again!)
The human definition: If you bring something to the table, you make a contribution or an offer in a discussion or negotiation.
This first reminded me of a movie scene where a mob boss waits with an angry expression to hear about what you’re going to do for him.
What do you bring to the table for him?
Then, of all things, my brain switched from that to Pretty Woman.
It’s the scene where Richard Gere (Edward) decides to build “big ships” instead of dismantling an old man’s company. He could have, but extends mercy and a partnership against his angry lawyer’s advice.
There was a greedy accuser in that movie and a broken women searching for real love. The love she offered finally broke through the hard, business exterior and changed the way Edward conducted his business…with compassion.
Thankfully, God doesn’t sit across from us behind a board room table, with folded arms waiting until we’ve pleaded our case of why we deserve His love or His mercy.
It’s just the opposite. He is there waiting for us to want His love. He has an open chair for you.
Sure, you might hesitate because He knows our list of our previous offenses, but His perfect love will cast out any fear (1 John 4:18).
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 NKJV
So, don’t be afraid of condemnation.
Bring it all to the table, no matter what you’ve done. Hear the voice of love that’s calling…
Hear the voice of love that’s calling
There’s a chair that waits for you
And a Friend who understands
Everything you’re going through
Zach Williams, To The Table
Hear the voice of love that’s calling
There’s a chair that waits for you
And a Friend who understands
Everything you’re going through
But you keep standing at a distance
In the shadow of your shame
There’s a light of hope that’s shining
Won’t you come and take your place?
And bring it all to the table
There’s nothing He ain’t seen before
For all your sin, all your sorrow, and your sadness
There’s a Savior and He calls
Bring it all to the table
He can see the weight you carry
The fears that hold your heart
But through the cross you’ve been forgiven
You’re accepted as you are
So bring it all to the table
There’s nothing He ain’t seen before
For all your trials, all your worries, and your burdens
There’s a Savior and He calls
Bring it all to the table
Bring it all
You can bring it all
And come on in, take your place
There’s no one who’s turned away
All you sinners, all you saints
Come right in and find your grace
Come on in, take your place
There’s no one who’s turned away
All you sinners, all you saints
Come on in and find your grace
And bring it all to the table
There’s nothing He ain’t seen before
For all your sin, all your sorrow, and your sadness
There’s a Savior and He calls
Bring it all to the table
thegladgame 