Joy at the Welcoming Table

Christ and Youth by Simeon Solomon 1892

Encounter: Psalm 129, Psalm 23, Nehemiah 1:4-11, Revelation 8-9, Galatians 5:16-25. This week at the Welcome Table, we place a pitcher and a cup to reflect the gift of joy we receive at the table.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines joy as a feeling of great happiness or pleasure. Depending on how this great happiness or pleasure is obtained, can determine the satisfaction and duration of said joy. What do I mean by this statement? The joy that is achieved from the earthly or worldly perspective, may bring happiness or pleasure, but it will only be for a short time and not have enough sustenance to sustain us during the rough patches of our lives. And we will have to seek more of it to overcome the difficult times we experience.

The joy that we receive from our faith in Christ can bring us more than just happiness. It has a tendency to sustain us even during our challenging events of life. I am reminded in Galatians chapter 5, Paul writes about the fruits of the Spirit and those fruits being in conflict with the desires of the flesh. Both can bring joy, but only one brings true joy to give us strength and courage to face the difficult times in our lives.

Last weekend, I participated in the second of my five cohort intensives for my second year of spiritual direction training. We began our time Friday morning doing a Lectio Divina using the image above. The image has stuck with me all week long as the invitation or message to me was that Jesus says, “I see you!” Jesus invitation to me was that no matter what you have going on, no matter where you are, I see you in the midst of your experience. This affirmation brought peace and joy to me as it reminded me that Jesus meets you where you are in life, and that he journeys with you through your good times and your bad times. You are not alone and you don’t have to battle this thing alone.

Psalms 129, Revelation 8 and 9, and Nehemiah, we witnessed difficult times forthcoming. Yet there is hope, peace, and joy in that heaven is not shaken and that the Lord will provide.

Psalm 23 “Even as I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;…You prepare a table before my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,…”

True joy is the fruit of the spirit. We receive this gift of the spirit when we accept Christ into our hearts. This gift helps us to recognize the gift of true joy. Joy that feeds us when we are in times of uncertainty, pain, or grief. This joy is more than a happy face we put on during our difficult times, it is certain assurance we will be alright. That joy gives us the strength to hold onto the One who says; “I see you!” Let me journey with you in your moment of _____.”

As you come to the Welcoming Table, allow your cup to be filled and overflowed with the water that never runs dry.

Spiritual Practice: Read Psalms 23 slowly and meditatively. Ponder each line and ask the Lord what He is revealing to you within these words. As you sit quietly and listening, consider the times in which joy seems to elude you. Then give yourself the permission to let go and receive His joy at the table He prepares for you.

Gather: As you gather together, read Psalm 23 and remind each other the joy you receive when being present with each other and the Holy Spirit. Consider what it would be like to wonder in the pasture together that the Lord guides you. Consider the refreshed joy you receive from this time together and allow your cup to overflow to others you meet along the way.