spring

so refreshing. (pun intended). thank you, charity:water.

room at the table

Hello, quiet blog! My thoughts have not ceased, but I do not always feel it right in my heart or have enough time to produce things to be shared on the "World Wide Web." Anyways, I am excited to share a very simple/ known concept but one that has really been helping me stretch my thoughts lately.

Whenever I catch myself wondering things like: How do I share the same beliefs as someone so different from me? How do they fit in in the Kingdom of God? What in the world do we have in common? Or how did they treat another person like that? I simply remember: there is room at the table.

Meaning there is always room at God's table. For He is our Father, and we are His children. All people. Everywhere. For all of time.

[Side Note:] Envision an enormous table that stretches across the world with everyone sitting at it. I think we all understand the importance of sharing a meal and can think of many significant life moments that have happened around the table. It is fun to visualize how different cultures share meals in different ways but always with the same idea of eating and sharing time together.

Here are a few ways this concept has challenged my thinking (hopefully in a good way).

If there is room at the table, that means:

-Everyone is welcome. We shouldn't be exclusive with a mindset that believes there is not an open seat for a certain person or people group. We must stretch ourselves to fully accept that everyone is welcome.

- Diversity displays God's creativity. We should appreciate diversity and drink in the beautiful reality that we are all God's children.

-There will always be plenty. Just as a parent gives equally to each child, so the Father will provide bountifully for us.

- Our gifts and talents are unique. There is a great need for you to bring your unique gifts to the table. While they will differ, we should always recognize and celebrate each person's talent. Let's not be looking to compete or be someone else.

- Serving is simple. Being at the table allows us to serve one another (and be comfortable doing so). Scripture shares with us many instances of Jesus dining/ reclining with a variety of people in His day. A way of showing love and grace, simply by being in their midst and giving our time and attention.

- Remembrance is our reality. We read many beautiful stories about the table, the meal He has set before us, and the way we remember Him. We are reminded how the most Worthy sat comfortably with all peoples. At the table, prestige and power are of no importance, for we are all family, and He has called us all unto Him.

Thank you Jesus for allowing us to sit and feast at your table of goodness. Help us to remember the great privilege it is to be a part of your family and extend the invitation to others.

---
Luke 22:26-30 (NIV)
But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Nehemiah 8:12  (NLT)
So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God's words and understood them.

Isaiah 25:6-8 (NIV)
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
    a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
    the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
    the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8     he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
    from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
    from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

Matthew 8: 11(NIV)
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.