by David Chadwick

"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." Proverbs 15:17

Better is dinner with herbs, a meager meal, where there is love, laughter, and joy, than a dinner with feasting and luxurious food where there is hatred.

I don't know about you, but some of my best memories with my family of origin were around the dinner table. My dad, mom, brother, and sister all together sharing memories and conversations. My mom would fix great meals, but it was the laughter and great conversation that have had such an impact on my life.

Along with my wife, Marilynn, we created those same kinds of memories with our three kids. And today, our three kids are extending the same blessing to our now 12 grandchildren.

Now, for just a moment, imagine sitting around this kind of dinner table with people you hate. Even if the food is great, the enjoyment of the moment will fizzle away quickly.

How does this apply to all of us today?

First, think about your own personal family. Have you put more of a focus on your career, money, and success and, as a result, forgotten to cultivate love? None of these things are inherently evil. But without love, they are meaningless. Are you spending more time on things that will fade away than on the things that remain: faith, hope, and love, the greatest of which is love (1 Corinthians 13:13)?

Secondly, think about the local church in which you take part. Are you prioritizing love? Do you have a high value for the bride of Christ? Do you desire the nourishment that comes from a life that follows Jesus? Or are you constantly pursuing things that may fill your flesh in the moment, but leave you lacking spiritually?

Celebrate the beautiful moments around a dinner table. But most importantly, feast on love. Seek to be in unified communion with one another. This is God's heart for his church.