The Evolution of the Table
“You prepare a table for ME in the presence of my enemies.”
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In my mind's vision, I see a woodland setting. The sun is shining, birds are singing overhead, and before us on a large table is a beautiful spread of food. All of our favorites are served, and we eat until our bellies are full. Stories and laughter are as abundant as the food we share.
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David in the Bible refers to this table in Psalm 23. I've presumed this table has been prepared for our enjoyment as we are engulfed in a celebration of being God's chosen people.
Who are "we"?
I suppose "we" are the church. Our enemies, in my naivete, are the people we should separate from. My childish thinking insists that God will always be on my side, and anyone not like me is my enemy. While the church of "us" gorge on the blessings of GOD, our enemies regrettably watch from the outside.
Although, now I cringe at this old way of thinking, it isn't all bad. It is the first step on a building block of growth. In this stage I am becoming part of a family and taking ownership of my faith. I believe God wants to bless me and fill me, nevertheless, it is crucial to move on from there.
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“You prepare a table for me in the presence of my ENEMIES.”
As I've grown and matured, this image has also evolved.
The outdoor setting has not changed, but remains a beautiful table filled with food surrounded by people. My enemies, however, are no longer those that aren't like me. In fact, my enemies are no longer human. At war with my soul, invisible faces like fear, worthlessness, condemnation, and shame, taunt me and isolate me. They seek to destroy me from within.
But at this table I'm invited to find refuge. In God's presence, beauty and rest and safety are available to me while fear and shame and their cohorts must stand by at a distance. They are not permitted and cannot exist in the presence of confident LOVE.
The more I feast at the table of God, where my soul is nourished and strengthened with Truth, the more subservient my enemies become. Their voices fade underneath the song that rises within my belly.
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“You prepare a table for me in the PRESENCE of my enemies.”
As I have spent time at God's table, being nourished by goodness, becoming more acquainted with His heart, this image has captured still a greater truth.
Set again in serenity within the wood, sunlight from the treetops gently highlights a large table, so large in fact, it disappears into the distance. Facing one another on both sides of the table are two endless rows of people passing between them food and drink and laughter. A hodgepodge of humanity coming together in celebration. There is now no longer a line of enemies on the outside looking in, for all the enemies are sitting at the table of God.
Inside this scripture, I now understand that my enemies are no longer people outside my circle. They are no longer my inner adversaries hovering over my soul. God has invited me to sit at His feasting table where my enemy will sit beside me in the presence of a painful yet most beautiful LOVE.
It is at this table that I understand I am also an enemy.
It is at this table I am covered in blood, just as my enemy is covered in blood.
It is at this table we become equal, to sit, to receive, to celebrate.
It is at this table we commune with God and with one another.
And that we, as strangers, as enemies, as friends, can begin to pass around big bowls of grace in a bountiful celebration of forgiveness, of giving and receiving, of truth manifest in light and peace.
I believe all of these perspectives of this scripture hold TRUTH, and they can all be true at the same time. We can enter into belonging with God, feasting on His goodness. We can experience rest from our enemies voices with God's generous presence. And we can sit in humility with our neighbor, passing around what has been given to us.
Will you come and sit at the Table of good things?
Will you come and find rest for your soul and joy for tomorrow?
Will you come and feast on LOVE and MERCY and FAITHFULNESS and pass them to your neighbor across the table?
You are invited here. Let me pour you a drink.
(the poem which inspired this essay)
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A table is set. A feast prepared.
A feast of the nearness of God.
Gathered are all the faces of the earth,
friends,
strangers,
enemies,
receiving the body and blood of the God who gave
it all.
On this table
served is something remarkable that melts
our fear
our anger
our divisions
for we are all enemies here.
Bring your ragged souls
your shredded hearts
your dirty lives
into the house of God
to sit at the table of feasting.
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For LOVE invites
and thanksgiving is the door.
