We are moving – and I am so excited about following God into a new neighborhood, new worship venue, and new ways of growing and depending on Him. This Sunday we are moving out of the high school we are in, and on Saturday we will be setting up in the elementary school where we will be meeting. There will of course be food!
I was talking to someone this week, and they said, “I guess it is good that you have food – it is a way of bribing people to come and help.” That made me stop and think. I don’t think our people need to be bribed to help out their church family (…or do they?), and we have even had people from other churches come and help out in these special times.
For us, food is a biblical and theological issue. Check out Jesus: But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” (Mark 2:16, NLT). Jesus made a theological statement with eating – and He made it often! He was called a glutton (Matt 11:19) because He spent so much time eating with people, teaching in a personal setting, and living out the Kingdom of God.
Food for us is about God’s good life, His providing for us, slowing down and catching up with each other, and sharing life together. Food is about inviting the Lord to the table and thanking Him for a church family. Some people may come for the “bribe”, but our hope is they will grow and see the devoted life – lived at God’s pace. The Kingdom of God is full stomachs and full lives at a table set by Christ, where everyone is welcome.
