Devotion: What Does the Table Mean to You?

 

“It isn’t so much what’s on the table that matters, as what’s on the chairs.” ~W.S. Gilbert

 This week we have retold the birth story of The Glorious Table, celebrated our first birthday with fun giveaways, and filled our plates with perfectly imperfect stories from around the table. Now we want to take a moment to shift our eyes from the table to the chairs.

A table can be beautiful, but without people pulling up a chair, sitting down, and enjoying the meal together, there is no community==it’s just an empty table. A delicious meal can be prepared and placed on the table, but unless there are people there to share the meal, it will just sit untouched.

When God gave Harmony and me the vision for The Glorious Table, he told us to create a space where all are welcome–the broken, the hurting, the rejected, the misunderstood, the “too-much,” the “not enough,” the exhausted, the joy-filled, the hopeful, the faithful, and the faithless. He reminded us that there may only be one table, but there are endless chairs. You are the chairs that make this place a true community. Thank you, from the deepest parts of our hearts, for pulling up a chair and making this place more than just a table. Thank you for sharing the daily meals with us, and coming back for more.

We wanted to really honor the voices of this community, so we asked a few of the readers and writers to share what The Glorious Table has meant to them this past year:

The postings on The Glorious Table fill my heart up! It is encouraging to hear from women who are so real, so diverse, so flawed, but full of faith in Jesus. It truly does feel like a table groaning with rich, delicious food! Thank you for setting the table and arranging for it to be filled regularly. It is nourishing my soul! ~Marlene Kelly

The Glorious Table has helped me grow deeper in my faith and prayer. ~Amy Majcina

I have fallen in love with Glorious Table. I have referred friends and family. I use it as my own daily devotional. I think about the writing all day, praying for the message for myself and friends. I love to share the message. It has also helped me into being a better Mom…Wife…and Christian. ~Rae Jeanne DeBord

Through The Glorious Table, God has allowed me to see how I can serve with my writing. It has been such a huge gift that keeps opening to another gift. Isn’t that just like God? It has meant a place to grow, to share, and to encourage others. God has opened my eyes at this Internet table to see how I can take my towel and basin, bend my knee and serve. ~Terri Fullerton

The Glorious Table has been a training ground for my writing. It has challenged me to grow as a writer. I look forward to seeing the posts from my writer friends and hear what the Lord is speaking to them. I love having a place to learn, grow, and cheer my sisters on–both writers and readers. ~Brianna George

The Glorious Table has been a refuge and a training ground for me. It’s a place I am encouraged, stretched, and convicted by the writings of others. It’s a place where my writing becomes a ministry. It’s a place I am growing as a writer and as a disciple. It’s a place where I feel I belong. Happy Birthday, TGT! ~Lindsay Hufford

These words humble me deeply, and remind me of how beautiful it is to sit at God’s glorious table. This table has made me brave. It has shown me over and over again how it is not in my striving that God uses me, but in my brokenness and humility. It has made me show up, pull up a chair, and remember that this is all for God’s glory. This endless table has brought me to you, and for that I am forever grateful.

https://animoto.com/play/9CDWE8kOJQDr0m1YOJm1UA

Lord, I thank you for every beautifully imperfect soul you have led to this table, and I ask you to abundantly bless each one. Thank you for creating an endless number of chairs so we are all welcome. Please help each person feel truly seen, heard, loved, and accepted. And above all, I pray that each meal at this glorious table, and every filled chair, would bring glory to your heavenly name. Amen.

Scriptures for Reflection

“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1 NIV)

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV)

Reach for More

This week’s challenge is to leave a comment, either on the blog or on our Facebook page, about what The Glorious Table has meant to you. We would love to hear your voice and know how God has used this table in your lives this past year. If you want to take this challenge a step further, then invite someone over this week who may be hurting, feel forgotten, or just needs a little extra love. Feed them. Listen to them. Love on them. You will be feeding their hearts and their bellies more deeply than you could imagine.

Dear friends, we can do this. Be courageous, and know that we are so thankful for your presence in our lives. Thank you for pulling up a chair. This place would be just an empty table without you.

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us about how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Sarah Lundgren has a passion for all things sparkly, loves God with her whole heart, and is known to love Starbucks chai lattes a whole lot, too. Sarah is currently snuggled in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan with her sweet hubby, J, and her full-time job is making pretty things all day long for her Etsy business, so sarah designs, but she also loves writing devotional content here at The Glorious Table.

Our creative director Bethany Beams has designed some free printables for everyone! There are twelve quotes from the past year of The Glorious Table’s posts: one from each month. We hope you enjoy these! Be sure to sign up for The Glorious Table’s new monthly newsletter that will feature one printable each month along with a special note from The Glorious Table staff containing extra encouragement and ideas for making your life more glorious. Just enter your email address in the box on the right sidebar!

Aaaaand (drumroll, please)… the winner of yesterday’s giveaway, the Beautiful Word Bible, is Shannon Stewart! Congratulations! We’re so excited for you! Please email [email protected] with your mailing address, and we will get your gift in the mail!

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