He’s Preparing a Table
Photo from The Delicious Life
Did I share that it’s my birthday month? If not, allow me to mention it a few more times until June comes to a close. LOL! But in all seriousness, I’ve walked in the promise of many scriptures as I’ve navigated life and some “God problems” usher you back to your beginnings. While working and worshipping, a song came on that had portions of the 23rd Psalm. I fixated on “He prepareth a table.” I didn’t have need or feel led to focus on “in the presence of my enemies,” because it was a non factor! The very intention of God to prepare a table brought me to shout! Have you ever had anyone prepare anything for you? It takes a bit of work and it’s done so with expectation that the receiver will be blessed as a result of effort. So, why then soul are you cast down? Hope in God! (Psalm 43:5). A table is being prepared!
Everything about us, every unique characteristic and idiosyncrasy is taken into account. For example, for ten years, I couldn’t eat gluten. I had a terrible reaction that depending upon the amount consumed, I could experience sickness up to two weeks. In my aging process, I developed intolerance to dairy and foods like mushrooms, chicken, cucumbers, avocado and the list goes on. To a person who didn’t take my dietary needs seriously, they would assume that anything they prepared would be okay or that my dietary restrictions were actually masked as “being picky.” However to those that desired me to have an experience that was not only safe and nourishing but also enjoyable, their menu choices reflected my wellness. If people have the propensity and audacity to care for us, how much more does our Heavenly Father? God knew us. God knows us. God will continue to know us as we “life.” So then, what He prepares will be good and will represent His love and perfect will for us. As we endure as good soldiers, it is incumbent upon us to know that a table is being prepared!
A table is not prepared to simply be gazed upon, but instead to be devoured. And we can take complete assurance that God will give us what we stand in need of. How might we govern ourselves? We musn’t flake on the invitation. God beckons us daily - through His Word, through worship, through meditation, through noticing His creation, through interaction with humanity, through kindness, through silence. May we position ourselves to receive from Him - forsaking our societal prompting to get everything in order first. Truly, for this table, it’s a come as you are dress code. That suggests that we may bring our joy, our brokenness, our hope, our defeat and our uncertainty - it’s space for it all. We mustn’t be concerned about “who all goin be there.” Whatever God has for us, whether in our silent, private time or in a sanctuary filled with others, we must be laser focused on our audience of one. How might we be responsive to receive what He has specially prepared for us while paying no attention to whatever or whomever is in our vicinity? Think of it as a curated VIP experience just for you.
When we elect to fully embrace our God encounter, we have invitation to partake. Whatever we are struggling with, whomever we are entangled, however long it’s been and wherever we’ve lost or left our faith may be brought to the table of our God. He’s got every concern, every care, every anxiety, every failed attempt of the enemy on the menu. In His presence, we never leave hungry; we never leave empty.
So in this season, may we be courageous enough to pray bold prayers and perhaps more important, believe that what we are carrying will be fulfilled in the presence of our God, at the table He’s prepared. As the songwriter penned, “Oh come to the Altar, the Father’s arms are opened wide!”
And by means, if you are preparing a table in honor of my birthday, I’m ready to receive from you and our God.