A Practice that Protects the Heart
November 24, 2024
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I have been more sad than usual.
Not sure why. Nothing tragic is happening, but as Davey Blackburn says, sometimes it’s not the big things that get you down, but “1,000 paper cuts.” Lots of good things are happening in my life too, so I have been a bit embarrassed and even apologized to God for being sad. Recently I chose to muddle in my sadness for a while instead of taking it to God right away. I chose to live a powerless life in my own strength instead.
Just wasted a week feeling sad.
Near the end of the mopey week I am referencing, I started missing Francis Chan. Every once in a while I miss some teacher’s voice and I go find them on the internet and listen for a while. On this particular night I turned on a video of Francis and his wife, Lisa, speaking together about their book on marriage, You, Me and Forever. (It is a FABULOUS book. I highly recommend.) In this particular video, Francis talked for 15 minutes and then Lisa took over.
She. Took. Over.
She talked about how God is the only one who can fill our cup, not our spouse.
Listen.
Starting at 20:28, Lisa shares All of our issues start spiritually. So when you are lacking, when you are struggling, when you find yourself overwhelmed, first go to the Lord. Don’t run to the counselor, to the friend, to anyone else.
Lisa re-tells an illustration a woman taught her years ago. Imagine you are invited to a banquet table. You are invited to come in and eat. We are talking about God here, she says, so God has invited you to a table filled with forgiveness, grace, love, wisdom, kindness, and mercy. And God says you can take as much as you need, as often as you need.
But we take a pass at sitting at the table…
This convicted me. Ouch! I thought of what I have muttered as I passed by God’s table where the feast is laid out.
Or how about this ridiculous one?
Like we don’t need God every hour of every day! Like we don’t want to enjoy our relationship with the Creator of heaven and earth every hour of every day!
And we wonder why we are empty.
Lisa continued the same illustration by sharing the visual of someone crawling under the table gathering crumbs from those seated at the table.
Ouch! Convicted again.
This happens when instead of seating myself at the table, I gather inspiration or knowledge from someone else who is seated at the table. I listen to a podcast or sermon. I attend a Bible Study or call a Christian friend, or turn on Francis Chan. (Ha!) There is nothing wrong with any of these except I know when I am participating in activities because I am hiding from the feast God offers and am trying to borrow relationship with God from others — gathering tidbits to tell or tweet to others (Oh, that’s a wonderful idea. Present a false image).
God says, “No, YOU sit at the banquet table too!
Thank you for the reminder, Lisa. Thank you for the reminder, God. After viewing this video that evening I was at the banquet table the very next day. I took my seat once again and God didn’t even call my name out for any of you to hear. God let me slide right in, and I told Him I was sad. It all tumbled out in pieces and in scrambled fashion but He understood it all anyway.
Have you ever hidden from God because you just didn’t know where to begin?
I received all I needed. And miracles happened. Truly. I saw God operating everywhere all day long. We were back in partnership again because I was once again connected to the Vine.
We cannot borrow God from anyone else. We must dine with Him ourselves.
Picture Explanation: 
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. (Isaiah 55:1-2)
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I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6
10 Responses
Hugs!! Yes, I have felt that way often. Thank you for the reminder that He has ALL that I need. I just need to receive it. Thank you, Lord!
Let’s not walk by the table this week, or crawl underneath. Want to sit together? I miss you.
“We get too busy.”
With what? Too busy with laziness, usually.
“Too busy with life?”
We may live here on earth, but our minds need to be separated from this life and be seated and ever present at the table of the Lord! This is where we find life, and rest, and love, and forgiveness, and the peace that surpasses all human comprehension!
This is a terrific reminder to all of us.
Spend time with God. Under the shelter of His Wing!
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.
I appreciate your heart, Eric. I can always hear it through your writing. This entire feasting opportunity surpasses all human comprehension, for sure! Let’s not live without it.
It was my birthday last week and someone I hardly know said something very insulting to me. I sulked about it rather than tell them it hurt, satan was keeping me from letting go until I sat with God who reminded me, it’s what He says about me that matters. I let it go and the rest of the day was great! Why try to hide from God, when He is where we need to be ? Thank you Laurie!
Thank you for sharing that very personal example. May we sit at the table right away and not wait. And I love that we can gather all we want. Never lacking. That was true of the manna in the wilderness as well. He has always been this way with His people, and always will be.
Happy belated birthday, and may the next year of your life be the best one yet as you walk with Him.
I can relate to this. I have thought I was too busy to read my Bible and pray, or that maybe I should put a load of laundry in first, and then realize I am hungry and should eat first, and then … the day is gone. Then I feel empty inside, and I realize that I have been like Martha instead of like Mary. Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, and Jesus said that she had chosen what was best. I pray that I will have a peaceful and God-honoring heart like Mary!
Yes, you have been more like Martha at times, like all of us, but you have shown me so many times what it looks like to be a Mary. Of all the people I know, you are a shining example of this to me.
Hi, Friend. I am sorry to hear you have been feeling sad, but I am glad you found peace at the table. Thank you for the reminder to go to Him first. I need this!
I am doing better. He is so good. When we reach out our hand, His extends back immediately. He is right there. He is with us.