Family Meals with a Twist

Shelley | Posted on March 29, 2019 |

In my family, gatherings always begin with plenty of chatter and catching up. At the appointed time, above the din someone is heard saying, “get to the table!” Once everyone is quiet (usually this requires a second shout), we offer thanks to God for His blessing of food and loved ones. It only takes a few bites before the questions begin, asking who made what. This is so compliments can be given to the various chefs. Conversation wanes a bit as all take in the aromas and savor their culinary favorites. Soon, cries of “please pass the potatoes,” “please pass the meat” ring out.

As the dinner ends, everyone pitches in to clear the table of dishes and remaining food, to begin cleanup and whatever else is needed. Usually, there are requests for recipes for favorite new dishes to make again in the days ahead.

It occurs to me that it takes participation by each member to make the meal a most enjoyable experience. Supposing someone decided they weren’t going to pick up and use their utensils, or how much less exciting if several of the family sat silently the entire way through the meal? What a burden it would be for the host if everyone simply left without helping to clean up.

Here’s the twist … this description of a family meal is also an illustration of a church service.

Everyone arrives with a lot of chatter and catching up. At some point above the din, there is a call to worship. Once everyone is quiet, there is often an opening prayer of thanksgiving. Then, the singing begins, offering praise to God (compliments to the Chef). Soon pleas for the needs of others are heard, perhaps included in the Pastor’s prayer or voiced by congregation members and collectively brought to the Lord.

Now everyone gets involved in helping by giving of themselves and their goods in the gathering of the offering. It’s time for recipe gathering, instruction in God’s Word – the message. After additional compliments to the Chef (singing), the members are sent home to repeat the recipe each day in service throughout the week.

Just as the family meal falls flat when members don’t participate, so it is with corporate worship. Worship is not a passive event. It is an active participation in the fellowship, thanksgiving, praise, petition, offering, instruction, and going out to serve.

Come to think of it, why wait for a family meal or a one time per week service?
Each day is an opportunity to worship God!
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:6NIV)