Day 18 - Expanding Our Table

Read: Acts 10:1-35

God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from - if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open” (Acts 10:35-36 MSG)

Our Christmas tradition involves going to church in the morning on Christmas Day and then going to my sister’s house for lunch. Lunch usually stretches into dinner as we feast! A few years ago, my sister bought a dining table that expands to accommodate more people. When it is fully expanded, it can accommodate quite a lot of people! I remember when I first saw the table, it seemed so large. But as the years have gone by, our family has grown and more people sit at the table, it is in fact, the perfect size!

One of our challenges as a community of believers is to remember that we need to have an ever-expanding table. I’m not talking about us all going out and buying my sister’s table - rather we need to remember our call to go out in the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19)

In Acts chapter 10, Peter encounters this challenge when God shows him that the good news is not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles. This revelation was quite a shock for the early church. Suddenly they found they needed to make room to allow others into their community. And they were not from the same race or culture as the rest of them. God’s plan for our world involves inviting more people to the table, so that they too can “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8)

How do we make room for others? Peter responded to the vision by going into Cornelius’ house - something that Jews did not do at the time. We too can make room for others by our hospitality and generosity. We can meet someone for a coffee or assist someone we know is in need, in a practical way. We should especially pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us in reaching out to others who do not know Him.

We can expand our table by being willing to embrace those who are different. The world is filled with people whom God loves and is calling to Him. Many of them do not look like us, dress like us or act like us. But it is God’s desire to draw all people to Himself (John 12:32). Let us take up the challenge of Peter and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us as we are willing to expand our table.

Challenge: Put It into Practice

One of the practical ways we can expand our table is to assist people in our community who are doing it tough. We Care Community Services assist hundreds of people each week and we can help in two key areas

How to Help

Consider getting some friends together and picking one of the actions below. This could also be a group project for your connect group. Below are two practical ways we can help today. Once you have collected your items, organise to deliver to our community hub at Dandenong (details below)

Lend a Hand with Nappies

Did you know that nappy stress is a persistent problem in Australia right now? One of the basic needs that families can face due to a range of circumstances is not enough nappies for their babies. This is such an essential item for families with young children and the need for assistance is growing. But there is an easy way we can help: buy a box of nappies.

Shout someone in your community a Coffee (or tea)

Coffee and tea are often seen as luxuries that people doing it tough in our community cannot afford. The next time you do your groceries, head to the coffee and tea aisle and pick up an extra of each.

Delivery

Our community hub at Dandenong receives donations during the week. See https://www.faithcc.com.au/community#we-care for information on location and opening hours