All Church Lunch

I had lunch at Church today. Some really good food. . .especially the smoked meats and my bride’s fabulous baked beans. There wasn’t a lot of dessert, but the two that I managed to get a small portion of were delicious.

When I was a kid my folks insisted that I eat whatever and all of what was on my plate. We (my sisters and I) were seldom allowed to discard food. It was a precious item in our poor environment, and we always (almost always?) ate what was put there by Mom. . .or taken by us as the opportunity presented itself.

I got caught in a conversation by the trash can today just as many folks were finishing and bring their plates to the trash container. I was amazed at how much was taken, and how little was eaten, especially by the kids. Whole pieces of chicken – taken and discarded. Large portions of veggies or pasta or casserole-whatever were still on the plate, often untouched. And, if you can believe it, dessert. . .precious dessert, there ready to be enjoyed, cast into the plastic bag never to be seen again.

I can’t help but realize that Sunday Church Lunch is a portrait of Sunday Worship. Beautiful hymns and songs of the faith lifted in praise to our Father as some sit quietly as if they have no voice, no joy, no thankfulness for the opportunity to enjoy participation in the incredible blessings of soul stirring music, discarded without so much as a thought.

I am convinced that the bread of life (the matchless Word of God), served in many Churches, is heard by the ears and rejected by the heart in so many lives, discarded for pursuit of other thoughts, or lost to minds that will not hear, because they are busy with a life that misses genuine life, and trades the promptings of the Spirit for the trash can of what might have been.

Lots of food is. . .wasted. Both kinds – physical, spiritual. It’s a shame – really!

See John 6:48-51