Feast

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Feast’ as in… It’s difficult to imagine a feast without a table.

Ask anyone to share memories of a joyous feast, and they’ll probably describe gathering with family and friends around a table sagging under the weight of an abundance of food and beverage.

But thriving together around a table assumes a willingness to move away from the deadly “Culture of Us vs. Them” to create a more thriving “Culture of We” where everyone has a seat at the feast.

This is not naïve thinking. There is an ancient precedence. Psalm 23:5-6 describes a feast that isn’t as segregated as our imaginations lead us to believe. I grew up believing that the “table prepared for me in the presence of my enemies” was set only for me. But what if “my enemies” are thinking the same thing? What if I’m their enemy?

Could the “table prepared for me in the presence of my enemies” be an invitation to a feast for everyone… prepared for everyone… in the midst of everyone? What if, in the act of feasting together, the concept of enemies evaporates in the extravagance of that feast as we hear a voice speaking:

“Welcome, everyone.” I know you’re all thinking: “How did ‘they’ get in here? Who invited ‘them’?” I did because a party just isn’t a party unless everyone is invited. Once we’re all at the feast table, we’re no longer enemies because the table creates a feast of friendship. And when you’re my friends, it’s impossible to have enemies. I’m honoring you by anointing your heads with oil; watch how your cup overflows with blessing. My goodness, and my unfailing love for every one of you will help you shift your thinking from the deadly “Culture of Us vs. Them” to create a healthier and more whole “Culture of We.”

Left unchecked, we’ll always be the center of our universe. But when we make room for everyone, the table expands, and the feast continues.

Thriving Reflections:

++ What would you do to change to make room for someone at the feast table?

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# Thriv’era

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.