It’s no secret that I’m a foodie! I come by it naturally. Growing up, my family planned any outing around the restaurant we would eat at. Moreover, meals in the Rodriguez household were nothing short of amazing. My mother was an incredible cook, and she passed this gift on to my older brother. He is passionate about the culinary arts, and is an accomplished chef! With this love and passion for food, holiday meals became a positive memory from childhood. Christmas may have reigned as my favorite holiday because of the gifts, but Thanksgiving brings out the nostalgic warmth deep in my soul. My mom and grandmother would spend time planning the meal, and meticulously prepare it for us.
In the wake of my mother’s death 15 years ago, my chef brother has taken the role of holiday meal guru. As much as Mom’s meals were great, a culinary trained chef in the family is an absolute delight! I can tell that he spends hours prepping and planning. Each ingredient is carefully added, understanding how the flavors together create an explosion of delight on my palate. It really is an art! This experience makes me come back for more, each and every year. Unless there is something drastic happening, I wouldn’t dare miss a meal he’s prepared for much of anything!
These memories serve as an illustration of the meal that is carefully prepared and served each and every weekend at your local church. Did you know we serve food every Sunday? This is the heart of the worship gathering which is the meal of the Word of God. All throughout the week, your pastor carefully plans and prepares. He studies the Bible, and consults resources to ensure that what he is saying is on track. He thinks critically and prays earnestly for the right words to say. He wonders how it will all be received. He spends the last few critical moments, just prior to the gathering, scribbling down all the last minute details that the Spirit delights in giving just before walking out to the pulpit to deliver the meal! All of this is done to honor and glorify God, and feed His sheep.
I’m not sure about you, but I know that I would never skip out on a family meal for just “any” reason. I’m going to be at that meal, first in line, eager and ready to eat! Anxious to see my brother slice into that smoked spatchcock turkey. Driving that spoon into the mashed potatoes, and drenching it in gravy; Filling the remainder of my plate with delicious stuffing. Finally, taking a peek at the dessert table to figure out what is going to fill in the remaining cracks of space in my belly.
What if we approached the weekly gathering of God’s people with the same eagerness and delight? Can you imagine how differently our spiritual walk with Jesus would be? Can you imagine the spiritual growth you would experience… it would be like the same growth my belt needs after a holiday meal at my brother’s place! Let us approach the gathering of the saints for the reception of the Word with the same vigor and delight! The delight we have as we open the door of our family’s place and smell the wonderful meal that has been prepared. You wouldn’t dare miss out on Grandma or Momma’s cooking, and you should never miss out on what God has prepared for you each and every Sunday gathering! I’ll see you at church saints!
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 19:23-25 (ESV)
North Bullitt Christian Church 