Who’s Coming 4 Dinner? The Second Guest

As you might be able to guess this is part of something about guests for dinner. (Might be something in the title that gives it away.) To find out more about the brief series, check this introduction post and then find out who turned up first for dinner.

As I mentioned, the order of the guests is not an indication of their importance. I just imagine this is the kind of order in which they would show up. With that in mind, here’s who I reckon would rock up next.

Stevie Wonder

Genius expresses itself in various ways. People relate it a lot to the arts and sciences, but there’s a lot to be said about genius in being. As in just unpacking what it is to be and then being. Nothing contrived, just that realisation that you are not just what you do or say. Neither are you what other people say about you, but there is a richness in discovering what it is to be and living in the light of that.

There is something in the music he created and the causes to which he has invested himself that gives me the impression that Stevie Wonder is something of a genius in discovering what it is to be. This is not about reaching perfection at all. Things I have read about Stevie certainly confirms he is far from perfect. But he is a fascinating individual.

Having him for dinner would be a good opportunity to quiz him about his loves, his losses, his passions and his persuasion on key issues of life. At the same time, I would love to see how he would interact with the other guests. He won’t be the most famous person in the guest-list, so there won’t be a great deal of awe in his direction that will prevent him from being a part of the conversation. That can be humbling and also invite openness about yourself where you know the focus isn’t on you to perform.

Would I want him to sing some songs and play on some instruments? Only if he wanted to. I’m not inviting him to perform, I’m inviting him to share what he knows about what it is to be and also learn from others who are at various stages of that reality.

The beauty of these meals is how different elements, not just the people and not just what is seen, can contribute to creating an environment of intimacy, vulnerability, transparency, humility and vitality. If that can be what Stevie walks into as he notices Ritson and I conversing, I have confidence it will embrace him in and he will likewise contribute to that and we can enjoy each other’s company.

But who would come in after him?

(Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden