A table in the presence of our enemies

On Monday I traveled to Bowling Green to surprise my mama for her birthday. When I arrived, I encouraged her to invite a few friends over for dinner. Later that day we gathered together and it was the most wonderful time of fellowship! We talked and laughed and told stories. Occasionally, a brief sorrow would bring a tear welling up in someone's eye, but mostly we laughed! 

The guests at our table represented many of the sorrows that we all face in this broken world: recent loss of a loved one, a battle with cancer, the reminder of getting older, hearts broken both physically and emotionally, relationships that need mending. We represented broken hearts and broken bodies. Our enemy, the devil, loves it when we are broken. He wants to keep us that way. 

And yet, at that table there was great joy! I can only find one explanation: Jesus. Each one at that table has hope because of Jesus. As I was thinking about this experience, I saw a picture of what the psalmist meant when he wrote Psalm 23:5, " You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." The enemy wanted us to feast on brokenness and drink tears, but Jesus was also present at our table. He was our host and sent the enemy fleeing. Certainly, there were moments that we shared sorrows together, but they were fleeting moments as our laughter filled the room. 

May you find the peace and joy that is available, even in the midst of great sorrow!

"Inconvenient" sacrifice

This morning I did some work for the church I attend. It's something I volunteered for a number of months ago and have been doing, typically once a month, ever since.

Now when I signed up for this work, I actually thought I was signing up for something else altogether. Has that ever happened to you? From the very first time that I did the work until today, I have had a complaining spirit! It's not the the work is too hard, but more that it feels inconvenient to me. Always I can think of 100 other things I'd rather be doing.

Here's a little of what my internal conversation looked like this morning.

 "I wish I'd known what I was signing up for, I never would have done so. It takes forever [not usually more than two hours] and I always [once a month] have to do it by myself." 

 "You're right, Julie, but volunteering is good for you. It is a way to give back to the church and it fits you schedule."

"I know, but it's so inconvenient! I wish I could find an easier way to 'sacrifice' for the church."

"Oh, yes. Perhaps something less demanding... like say,... dying on the cross for the sins of all people across eternity."

Ouch. Ok, I deserved that. Guess my 'sacrifice' isn't so inconvenient after all.