As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, abide in my love. -John 15:9
“Love isn’t one facet of God that stands on par with other divine attributes. Every feature of who He is must run through the sieve of divine agape, or it will be a misrepresentation of His character. -Steve McVey, Beyond an Angry God, pg.17
Whatever happened to dens and dinner tables, what we thought of as a place for the family?
Today, we have entertainment centers, sitting rooms, living rooms (generally off-limits because the furniture is too nice), game rooms, etc. The den was a room where the family could all watch TV, put their feet up, enjoy some ice cream, and watch the news. It was a place where you could talk (hopefully), feel at ease, and be yourself.
The dinner table was a place to enjoy a meal, catch up on what happened that day, and relax. Many of us may not have had that growing up. But I want you to consider that there’s a den and dinner table you have been invited to enjoy.
You and I have been brought into the den and to the dinner table of the Trinity.
At that table, they enjoyed fellowship, love (agape), and intimacy for eternity. We share in that agape love, fellowship, and intimacy as we’re created in their image based on our original design.
Independence and false ideas about ourselves (sin) led to a break in enjoying them and who we are. Instead of enjoying friendship and fellowship, many of us have stayed on the outside looking in.
I’m reminded of a scene from the movie “The Shack.”
The main character, Mack, is at the dinner table with the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, laughing and enjoying each other as they share a meal.
That is your fellowship right now, apart from your works and efforts. Everything is complete based on your union with Christ and, thus, the Father and Spirit. You can enjoy them at this very moment!
What are you waiting for? Enjoy the meal and company—I promise you they will!