The table is set. A lace cloth has been spread underneath our finest china. Every dish we could imagine is put before us. A giant turkey has just been carved and the aroma of baking pies teases our watering taste buds. Candle flames wave and dance above the meal as we sit down with the people we love most.
Our hearts are full. It is time to feast.
But just as we raise the first bite to our mouths someone yells at us.
“Stop!” they cry, “This is too good. We don’t deserve such luxury. Don’t eat from this table. Leave this abundance and find something harder to digest.”
We laugh at them. What is the point of a feast if no one partakes of it?
Why waste such abundance? Sure, it is more than we need, more than we deserve. But it has been graciously prepared for us and it would be absurd to pass it up for a Taco Bell run.
And yet, though the idea of leaving a Thanksgiving meal untouched in favor of fast food is laughable, I do this very thing day after day.
My life is in a sweet season right now. I have work that I love to do, I am financially stable, my home is ideal, my spouse makes me inexplicably happy, I’m healthy, and I wake up in the morning excited for the day ahead.
I have a feast laid out before me to take from and enjoy.
But just as I raise my glass to toast this beautiful life I’ve been given, something nudges the pit of my stomach and tells me I have it too good. This feast is bigger than you deserve, it whispers. Life isn’t meant to be this happy. Don’t take a bite; don’t enjoy the food laid before you.
Good Christians are supposed to be facing martyrdom and selling their possessions and suffering for the sake of the gospel. Trials and tribulations mean you are doing something right. First world luxuries and simple pleasures shouldn’t be our lot, the pitted voice hisses.
My tissue-thin pages of Scripture rustle over to Psalm 23. This passage is repeated at funerals and deathbeds, through sadness and hurt.
But read it with open eyes and you can see the theme of abundance dripping off the page.
Our God is a God who chases after us with goodness and beauty. He pursues us with blessings and favor. He takes our hand in His and guides us to lush green meadows. He bids us sit down and rest. He tells us to take off our shoes and kick our feet in a crystal clear stream. He fills up our cup until it is overflowing and He sets a feasting table for our enjoyment.
There are seasons of hardship, of grief, of heavy burdens and unspeakable sorrow.
I’ve been at tables that tasted bitter and I know there will be troubles ahead. Perhaps you are walking through a valley right now and you cannot see past the shadows.
But as we encounter sweet places, it would foolish for us to decline the invitation to feast with our God. He is the Giver of all good gifts; don’t push away His outstretched hand.
The table is set. The feast is prepared. And we have permission to enjoy every single bite.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Greer,
I love this!! Our God is one who does and gives abundantly more than all we can possibly ask or imagine. He overflows with goodness toward us and we don’t receive it. Many times I have wondered why I have not received what I prayed for?? The problem was that I was willing to accept a “tootsie roll” when what God wanted to give me was a “Godiva bar”. I/We are all too willing to settle for less than God’s best and then when He does shower us abundantly we play the roll of the martyr. Like you so wonderfully pointed out, I believe God wants us to delight in the joy and abundant seasons He gives us. Great thought for the day….may I go forth and rejoice in the blessings He has for me today 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
S. Snyder says
Amen! Thank you Lord Jesus.
Greer Oharah says
Bev, I so agree with you. I love your thoughts about accepting a tootsie roll over a godiva bar! It reminds me of C.S. Lewis’ quote: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Thanks for stopping by!
Greer Oharah says
Indeed!
Bonnie Rothenberger says
Thank you for your insight into Gods word.
Greer Oharah says
You are welcome, Bonnie. Thank you for reading!
Greer Oharah says
Bev, I so agree with you. I love your thoughts about accepting a tootsie roll over a godiva bar! It reminds me of C.S. Lewis’ quote: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Thanks for stopping by!
Kathy Cheek, Devotional Writer says
I find your enthusiasm catching and refreshing, and yes, we should be incredibly thankful for the good seasons of our lives!
I remember a pastor once said “We are almost always either in a storm/trial or coming out of one.”
We do all go through difficult seasons, but I don’t think that we live there permanently!
I like to say, “If life was always a storm, the sun would never shine!”
Greer Oharah says
Thank you for your kind words, Kathy. Yes – there are storms, many of them, but there are days of sunshine placed in between!
Kelli McKnight says
Great words today Greer! I struggle with this exact thing and I can’t help but think it makes our soul’s enemy happy when we believe we are unworthy for the feast. Blessings on your this season! May we find deep joy in them all.
Greer Oharah says
Thank you Kelli! I agree completely – our enemy doesn’t want us to enjoy the feast. He would be all to glad if we were to ignore the good and perfect gifts from our Father above.
Patricia says
Thank you for sharing your insight. I think we have always heard the 23rd Psalm at funerals, but it takes on a whole new meaning when read in this light. I will be thankful for my blessings at our Thanksgiving table this year!
Greer Oharah says
It does change our perspective of this familiar scripture, doesn’t it? Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Debi Gable says
Thank you for reminding me that God has prepared a feast for me, & WANTS ME to partake of it. This feast can be food, fellowship, a promise from His Word, & on & on. He loves me & wants me to have the very best. We already celebrated Thanksgiving last month, because we’re Canadian, but it was wonderful just the same. I pray for joy & blessing to all those who will celebrating tomorrow. May God richly bless you in all ways.
Lauren Washer says
Beautiful, Greer. Thank you for this gentle reminder. So thrilled to read your words in this space.
Sarah says
This is a lovely post.
Stephanie says
Greer, you will never know how much I needed this right now. I feel this way very often. Your beautiful words have spoke to my heart. I am very grateful that God lead me to this at just the right time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ Xoxo
MIchele Morin says
“He chases after us with goodness and beauty.” I love that image.
It’s time to turn around and let Him catch me!
Beth Williams says
Greer,
I totally agree! We need to enjoy and savor ALL that the Lord lavishes upon us. I have been through some trials these past few years and it was hard. God graciously brought me out of them and changed things for the better. Now I have a little feast set before me. I plan on enjoying it and praising God for it. Loving my Godiva chocolate, and telling the world about the hope I have in Jesus!
There are times I have felt unworthy of such lavishness. Watching as others struggle and lack while I have plenty. God gently nudges me. I hear Him saying I gave this to you because I love you–now use this to help others. I use my abundance to assist others, blessing them and myself!
Blessings 🙂
Eleanor says
Greer, thank you so much for this post. Seems like all I gave heard for months is how hard the Christian life is, how full of trial, temptation, and sorrow. Thank you for this sweet reminder that life can be beautiful.