A few years ago I was out of town (Nashville, TN) with a group of ministers for our denominations biennial meeting. On this one particular day, we were scoping the area for a restaurant’s that served home cooking. After consulting the internet, we found something that looked promising. We arrived to find a restaurant called Monell’s. It was an actual house that was probably built in the early 1900’s and refurbished over time. As we made our way inside we were seated at a very large table that could hold upwards of 15 or more people. The big table seemed like overkill for a party of five but…..whatever. I didn’t care, I was just hungry and wanted to eat. As we were seated, we began reading a menu of what was being served and it included an explanation of how the meal would progress. While reading about the food I noticed that others who had arrived after us were being escorted to our table to sit– which seemed odd to me. They were complete strangers. After reading the full printout, I realized this was how the restaurant functioned. Everything was intended to be “shared family-style with your neighbors.” The bottom of the menu stated, “Enter as strangers, Leave as friends!” This seemed odd to me but I made the immediate decision to roll with it. Once our table filled with 4-5 other sets of strangers of different races, cultures, and social classes, the waitresses began bringing out the heaping bowls of warm food. Minutes later everyone was passing the food around while talking and laughing with people they hadn’t arrived with.
This was one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever had in my life. It marked my life in an unforgettable way. Truthfully, the initial instinct of everyone was to focus on the differences each person brought to the table. The longer we talked, we realized we had more in common than we realized. For all of us, the basic need to eat had brought us together and gave us common ground on which to stand. This experience reminded me of Christians worldwide from differing denominations. Many choose to focus on the differences of each church and allow those differences to create dividing lines. “I don’t attend here because they don’t offer (fill in the blank).” “I don’t like this church because their theology doesn’t line up with what I’ve always been taught.” 1 John 4:19-21 (NLT) states, “We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.” Instinctually, we choose to focus on the things that make us different when we should be focusing on the things we have in common. Mainly, our relationship with the Father and the importance of fulfillment of the Great Commission. Personally, I don’t care if your theology is different that mine. It’s not my goal to change you or allow you to change me. I believe in allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me down the right path’s of knowledge and understanding as I study the word of God. We should never allow any denomination be the final say in showing us the ‘right’ way. Study God’s word and let Him speak to you!
Closing remarks and encouragement: The enemy has attempted to divide the kingdom of God for hundreds of years—and, unfortunately, he’s been somewhat successful. We divide ourselves based on theology, race, and any number of inconsequential and irrelevant stimuli. It’s time for believers worldwide to join as one mighty army and complete the work we were placed on this earth to do! We’re all eating at the same table. It’s okay if you don’t feel comfortable with certain things on the menu. Pass that bowl to the person beside you and keep eating and working together. You may enter as strangers, but you can leave as friends. Open your mind to what the Holy Spirit is teaching YOU and allow God to do the same with others. Most importantly, don’t ever forget, we can accomplish more together than we can separately!
Have a blessed week, my friends!