Tried-and-true, readymade, new
November 28th, 2021 – Communion Meditation
This week many of us gathered with loved ones, family, friends, to celebrate Thanksgiving, a day that started in this country but has come to be significant to many around the world as a day set aside to intentionally give thanks to God for His provision, blessing, and grace in our lives. A day to meet with and engage with others. For some, a day to travel or to offer hospitality. For some, a day to practice old or new traditions. And for many, a day to prepare and enjoy special foods.
Thinking through our family’s menu this year, I made a few brief observations that speak to me of how we as followers of Christ can grow in developing our relationship with God.
Some of our dishes were tried-and-true recipes, like Green Bean Casserole, one that seems to always bring joy and gratitude. This reminds me of what happens when we practice what are known as the spiritual disciplines. Things like meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. Just like Green Bean Casserole, none of the spiritual disciplines is complicated – they’re quite simple to understand (though often difficult to put into practice). The reason that we may not practice a particular spiritual discipline might be because we are undisciplined, think we don’t need it, or just don’t want to! The writer of Hebrews tells us that “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Hebrews 12:10b-11). As we practice these God-given disciplines, they produce good fruit in our lives and we become more Christ-like, spreading His love and light and fragrance to all those around us.
Some of the food we enjoyed for Thanksgiving were readymade foods, like Mashed Potatoes, as some of our family members purchased trays of their favorite recipes from a local restaurant. Convenience aside, these dishes can be counted on to be consistent. This made me think about deep habits that we have formed in our lives which have gone on to become second nature to us because we have practiced them repeatedly over a long period of time. Things like kind words, patience with others, working towards reconciliation, listening deeply, praying with and for others, sharing the Good News of Jesus in speech and action. We understand the power of habits when it comes to first responders, who, because of their extensive and ongoing training, know just what to do in a particular crisis. We may realize we need to intentionally form better habits when we are faced with opportunities for offense, abrasive attitudes, unplanned provocations, or critical conversations. We can pray along with David the psalmist, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)
The third and final kind of dish that we enjoyed this Thanksgiving were new recipes, like Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. This makes me think about the importance of not just doing everything the way we’ve done it before, but to pause and notice and ask, “What is the Holy Spirit is doing?” As the apostle Paul wrote to the Early Church, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25).
Communion is a time when we meet intentionally with the Lord, to partake in the life of Christ through the elements of bread and juice, to receive whatever good gifts He wants to give us (whether salvation, healing, deliverance, faith, hope, love), and then to be sent back out on mission as His ambassadors. I invite you to join me in meeting with Christ Jesus at His table by receiving the bread and the juice in obedience to His command to His disciples to “do this in remembrance of me.”
We remember you, Lord Jesus! All glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
