Have you ever thought about how much of our interaction with others takes place around a table of some sort? I was thinking about this as I was doing today's study, and I realized that it's true. In nearly all of the situations where we're going to be hanging out with others - whether it be with friends, co-workers, family etc... - there is always a table involved. A coincidence? I think not! Even if we are not fully aware of it, we are programmed by God to fellowship with others, and what better place than around a table sharing food and laughter...communing together!
Now I will admit that this can be hard for someone who's introverted and shy and easily overwhelmed by people (like me!). Not long ago, my husband (who's not shy or introverted or easily overwhelmed by people) approached me about the possibility of hosting our small group in our home. Oh, my goodness! I'm all for fellowship, of course, but in my home is another story! Talk about anxiety! Yikes! But, for some reason (it must have been the Holy Spirit's prompting) I gave the go ahead. And you know, it's been a true blessing. I have actually enjoyed hosting our amazing group - I actually look forward to the Sunday evenings when I know they'll be in our home!
So, I would say it's true that we all yearn for that communion and fellowship with others (even crazy, un-relational me!). God understands that fully, which is why he incorporated the table as one of the most important elements in the tabernacle! And He understands not only just the need for us to fellowship with others, but with Him! God communing with us in the Holy Place! Pretty amazing, don't you think?
What about you? Do you think fellowship with others is important? If so, what are some ways you fellowship and commune with others in your own life? Is this something you find easy or hard to do?
Now I will admit that this can be hard for someone who's introverted and shy and easily overwhelmed by people (like me!). Not long ago, my husband (who's not shy or introverted or easily overwhelmed by people) approached me about the possibility of hosting our small group in our home. Oh, my goodness! I'm all for fellowship, of course, but in my home is another story! Talk about anxiety! Yikes! But, for some reason (it must have been the Holy Spirit's prompting) I gave the go ahead. And you know, it's been a true blessing. I have actually enjoyed hosting our amazing group - I actually look forward to the Sunday evenings when I know they'll be in our home!
So, I would say it's true that we all yearn for that communion and fellowship with others (even crazy, un-relational me!). God understands that fully, which is why he incorporated the table as one of the most important elements in the tabernacle! And He understands not only just the need for us to fellowship with others, but with Him! God communing with us in the Holy Place! Pretty amazing, don't you think?
What about you? Do you think fellowship with others is important? If so, what are some ways you fellowship and commune with others in your own life? Is this something you find easy or hard to do?
2 comments:
I love to fellowship! I am a "people" person and completely opposite of you Meghan - I'm an extrovert! I love having people over to our house (even though half the time it's a mess!) When reading today's study I couldn't help but to think about when friends come over. We ALWAYS just sit and chat at our kitchen table. I didn't realize this before.
Also, when I was growing up we always had to be home for dinner where we sat and ate together as a family. We went allowed to watch TV or answer the phone during. This is something that Kris & I do with our children.
The last paragraph in today's study summed it all up pretty well..."Our hearts are prone to wonder and tempted to squander our Father's inheritance on the world's cheap amusements. But when our eyes awaken to reality, when we lift our heads above the compromise, and when our stomachs ache for the food of home, a certain Father will always be standing at the gate, ready to prepare a feast for us, waiting anxiously for His prodigal to come home!"
So VERY true!!!
it's no surprise... you and i, meghan, have to be almost complete opposites!!.... i love getting together w/ people and fellowshipping in any form!!! (esp. when there's food!:) i'm thankful this is an aspect that God has incorporated into our lives... i do think fellowship has to be a HUGE part of our lives as believers and followers of Christ. for so many reasons--first, God calls us to community and how else do we have community w/ people unless we're in each other's lives? i think God calls us to this community so we can help take care of each other, keep each other accountable, learn from & teach each other, meet needs, etc. etc. etc. some cultures are very communal. however, in our culture we are extremely individualistic. you take care of YOU and i'll take care of ME! even if i have a need, i'm too proud to let you know!... the Church knows better than this--we have witnessed here on this very blog!!! we have found encouragement and strength from one another in sharing our struggles, learning from each other's experiences and mistakes and encouraging each other to be the in the Word!!! community is a MUST!!! even Jesus had His close friends...even the trinity--the Godhead--is a community!!! it's an absolute MUST in the life of a believer!!!
i also think that when we have community and the love that it brings we are better able to meet people where they're at and to let our guards down and be real. we have a perspective that is more eternal--instead of having my rights or making things right (revenge, justice), we are more concerned with loving each other, forgiving each other and letting go of bitterness and the sin that entangles us! (Heb 12--"cloud of witnesses" community once again!)... community encourages this!!! i loved the reference to the prodigal son (which is actually in Luke 15--easy typo!!) the thing i love the most about that story, i think, is when it recalls the dad RUNNING to the son!! he wasn't concerned about what his son had done or where he had been or that he disrespected him completely.... he was only overwhelmed with his very presence--that his son had chosen to come back home!!! his compassion took over--it was his son, for goodness sake! nothing his son could EVER do would change that!.. i think this is an aspect of community--we overlook shortcomings, wrongdoings and sin--not saying it's okay or allowing people to continue on in their sin, but understanding that by loving people we show them Christ and we encourage them into a closer walk w/ Him. it is LOVE that covered our sins--Christ. and it is LOVE that Christ through us will use to cover the sinner!.. this can only happen in community!
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