Lunching With God’s Holy People
On the morning of September 7th I woke up grumpy. I sat in the garden, Bible open, reading from 1 Peter. The end of verse 1:8 leapt out: “you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” I recorded the whole verse in my notebook and wrote, “Lord, help me to rejoice with joy that is inexpressible.” Yet I continued to feel at odds with myself as I anticipated serving at the senior luncheon. It was a mood I didn’t want to inflict on others. A phone call with a dear friend encouraged me that being among God’s people would be good for me.
I was still struggling with negativity while working alongside a few women in the church kitchen. I even spoke sharply at one point. I wanted to leave, but then people started to arrive. Ted Sobel was first, accompanied by his smile and good cheer. Next were Fred and Lois Scott, bringing Lois’s one of a kind humor. My grumpy attitude didn’t have a chance. One by one, God’s holy people entered the room carrying their dishes to pass – a variety of salads, fruits, and desserts – a lovely display that made for a tasty lunch.
Linda Crispell played the piano and we sang some hymns. As I surveyed the hoary heads singing Immortal Invisible God Only Wise, I realized I was standing on holy ground. Each person present represented years of experience walking the road of faith in the face of suffering – loss of spouse, loss of children, and subject to age, disease, and decay.
“The wealth that we are to enjoy, that strengthens us, is the other people. What God has done in the individual lives,” Pastor Matt said during his sermon the following Sunday. “The more we see the wealth that God has put in the other people, the stronger we are.”
That day at the senior luncheon, I realized I was surrounded by a wealth unspeakable. It was then that inexpressible joy began to well up within me.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1.18