Imagine this, or maybe you don’t have to imagine. Maybe you have an experience, a point of reference that allows you to dive into this story, in heart, in spirit.
Imagine you are peering into a window of a door that you have been invited to open. The brush of a cool wind, and the smell of the fall season’s leaves entertain your senses. You lift your hand to the door knocker, grasp the brass bar. And halt.
You see through the window a table set for two. But not just a table, but one laden with colors. You see so many jewel colors of blue, red, green, yellows that they blur in a melody like a rainbow in motion!
Your eyes focus in on the beauty of the details: a vase chock-full of your favorite blooms, a table draped in a yellow linen cloth that drips off the edges to a glistening tiled floor, pure white china plates etched with blue delicate vines, two wine glasses with tinted strawberry red stems, and two vine-patterned napkins garnished with a gold rose.
What is this feast, you ask yourself? Why has my friend gone to this extravagance?
And you let go of the knocker, look down at your empty hands. I have not brought anything, you think to yourself. You turn, look behind you to the shadows of trees on the street. I have not done anything to deserve this extravagance, you think to yourself.
And you begin to take a step away when you hear the door open behind you. There you are! the familiar voice hails. Come in, come in! the recognizable voice summons.
You turn to your friend.
I’ve been waiting for you. So glad you’re here to join me, and do I have a feast for us!
Would you hesitate to join your friend, as she intimately grasp a hand of yours in both of hers and ushers you into her home? Seeing her joy that you are just there, would you shy away or would you accompany her to the feast she has prepared for the two of you?
My guess is, my gosh, you would weave into her presence, ravish in her happiness and gratitude that you are there. And you would lavish in the festivities she is offering you as it is in the receiving of her gifts that you participate and give her joy!
And now I must ask you, my friend, if you have ever turned away from the feast that you are always being beckoned to, as His beloved? The invite is endless. The invitation always there.
Or have you turned away because you believe you have not brought anything to offer? That you have not been good enough, pure enough, obedient enough? Or maybe, like the second son of the prodigal, you have been out serving and working for your Father thinking it is the work to be done first and forever? The feast is there for you but you do not open the door?
“My son (my daughter),” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours…(Luke 15:11)
Everything I have is yours. There is nothing you need to do.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. who loved me and gave himself for me.
By grace you have been saved. There is nothing you need to do.
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—
Are you feasting at His table today, Beloved?
The photographs are as beautiful as the words you have accompanied them with!
This reminds me of the story of the wedding banquet. Yes, we always have that open invitation to sit down at the table and partake with the feast. But sometimes we feel ashamed and our inadequacies make us turn down the invitation that was so gladly offered to us. This has been my situation for a few months now and what you said encourages me to shift my perspective. God’s sufficiency will meet my inadequacy.
Thanks for the powerful message!
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It is a shift in perspective isn’t it Jayson? Yes, God’s sufficiency meets our inadequacies and just knowing that gives us so much hope. In this world we definitely have trouble but His love is forever and never changing. May you feel God’s shining love on you today!
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I so much more prefer the word ‘invitation’ rather than ‘disciplines’ when we talk about spiritual practices. For God is always inviting us to something deeper, holier, more joyful. I appreciate what you’ve written today, friend. Inspirational, yes …
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Thank you Linda! Our spiritual practices are an invitation to us to know Him, and who we are through Him. I hadn’t thought of using invitation in that context but it so resonates with who He is. I appreciate you!
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Precious grace! This is such a beautiful analogy of how Jesus lovingly invites us, longingly waits for us, and jubilantly rejoices over us when we answer His call. I love it, Lynn. Also the verses. Thank you! Blessings and hugs to you!
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Jubilantly….love that word Trudy! It fits perfectly! Always another hug and blessing back to you!
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I needed this today. Thank you, Lynn.
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Your welcome Joy. I hope you continue to enjoy His presence at His table in the special place that is just for you. Hugs!
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Thank you Lynn. Ok, I will feast! Thanks for the invitation. (-: Ker
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Lovely, I love the beautiful pictures as well.
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Thank you Ally. Lovely profile picture you have!
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I like half-stories, half-devotions. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Lauren. I hadn’t thought of it that way–half devotions and half stories! But yes, you are absolutely right! Thanks for reading.
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This is so beautiful, Lynn, especially with the photos. What an amazing invitation that has been extended to us and continues to be daily. I read this with new eyes since my last blog post. I think I still dared not sit in His Presence fully unmasked…because fear of man was holding me shackled. I was so ashamed of the deep pit I was in, but Jesus pressed me to share it openly not only to invite others to see His true love for us, but also to show me until I could appear completely unmasked before others, I was still shackled from receiving true release and freedom. Shame goes much more deeply than we often realize….so I love your analogy here….for me it felt like I had to take a mask with.
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Hi Anna, The world can sure make us think we need to wear masks. I think it is our struggle in our flesh we may always have but so glad to read that you have seen Him changing you even since your last blog. Very inspiring!
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Thank you for the beautiful reminder that He invites us to be with Him. I loved the analogy of being invited to dine with a friend- it was the perfect picture of how Christ relates to us!
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Hi Marisa, I’m glad you liked the analogy. I’m glad God has made the world so we can use what happens to us here to relate how He is and sees us. Nice to see your smile! Thanks for dropping by.
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Wow!
You sure took me on a journey as you described the scene. I felt like I was there. I’ve passed this up way too many times when God’s offered it. Thank you for this! So powerful!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the journey! And it is a table to journey to that is always there. Thanks for dropping by!
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Lynn, I love your visual. When I slow down enough to ponder it, I am humbled that Jesus always wants me to hang out with Him. That He wants to lavish His love on me. So often (especially these past few weeks), I find myself busy, too busy. I spend time with Him, but I don’t rest in His presence, enjoying the feast He set out just for me.
I needed this visual.Thanks for sharing it!
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Hi Jeanne, Yes that ‘busy’ kind of stuff can leave us not feeding on the food He has laid out. May you feel His presence of peace even in all the ‘to do’s’ this week. Always great to see you here!
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I enjoyed reading this including the comments too😉
His precious have invites us to a life free of hassle and burden.
Thank you for this
Hugs and blessings to you
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Such a pleasure to visit your site today Lynn! Your pictures are stunning and they paint a beautiful setting. I needed this reminder of God’s unconditional love! Such comforting assurance that we have an open invitation for time with our Savior. May we always be willing to spend time with Him and come as we are. Thank you for sharing these truths. I hope you have a wonderful week and may God richly bless you and yours!
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Hi Lynn.
I first want to say that it’s great to meet you. I love your blog. I really look forward to the ministry here!
After reading this post I realize I don’t spend enough time at His table. I want to spend ALL my time there…..
Bless you
Rolain
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Thank you Rolain! Great to meet you too, and see you here. May you enjoy time at His table today, as His beloved son.
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