Daily Journal: 6 April

Who Is Sitting

At Your Table?

We all need to know the people sitting at our table. The friends who look out for us and seek out our company. The ones who know what’s going on in our life and how we feel. The ones who care if we feel left out or worn down. The ones who reach out when our feet are slipping from under us. The ones who are there to comfort us, to encourage us, and also to expect us to rise up and meet each challenge we face; the ones who have our back.

Those are our people.

Without friends like that, walking through life becomes treacherous. We need friends who will hold on to us no matter what. Those we can share our weaknesses with, without fear of judgment or ridicule. Those we know will respond with loving honesty and follow-up care.

Unmet, unspoken expectations have the potential to thwart the beauty of friendship. We all let each other down sometimes. Satan wants to disempower our friendships because he knows we are strengthened in them. We need to be on guard from listening to lies or ego. We need to listen to our history with friends, to acknowledge the level of love they’ve shown in the past and let that guide our expectations for the future. When realistic expectations continue to be unmet, it is proper to release friendships from our table, with a blessing.

John 2:24-25 (CEV)

But Jesus knew what was in their hearts, and he would not let them have power over him. No one had to tell him what people were like. He already knew.

God is all about relationships. He pioneered life with them. He embodies relationship within the trinity, and has extended Himself to us, that we might be embraced within His network of power, love and grace. He gives us a trio of faith, hope and love to be nurtured by. We can build our friendships off these triangles of strength.

Who is sitting at your table?

Know who you’re taking with you to where God is calling. Know who sees God’s vision for your life and prays with you to see that fulfilled. Know who believes in you and reminds you who you are and where you’re going. Know the ones who will defend you not slander you or use you. Know who can help decipher the season you’re in and when the shift of season comes. Know the ones who trust the same from you.

Be grateful for the ones who show you grace as you grow. Be grateful for the ones who plant wisdom and balance in your journey. Seek out those you can listen to.

Know the ones who believe as you do. Know who is sitting at your table.

Luke 14:16-21 (NIV)

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

“The servant came back and reported this to his master.

I pray we seek friends we can trust to sit at our table, friends who are committed, and friends who will hold a seat for us at their table, too.