by Pastor Douglas Brauner
An Invitation Worth Accepting
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.
“You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Psalm 145:16 English Standard Version
One of my new favorite Netflix programs is Somebody Feed Phil starring Phil Rosenthal a Hollywood writer. He travels around the world sampling the food of different places. There are three things that attract me to this show: 1) The cinematography is fabulous, 2) he makes me laugh, and 3) the food is amazing.
As a result of watching this show, I have added Croatia to my bucket list of places to visit, especially to try an octopus sandwich.
At the end of this episode in Croatia, Phil sits outside at a restaurant table next to a large body of water. He converses with his server who speaks in broken English. A plate of perfectly prepared oysters is presented to him. What happened next brought chills to my spine and tears to my eyes.
A Croatian woman, Anna, was his assistant on this trip. He jokes with her about the oysters and then he says the words that that made me pause. With his hand pointing to the chair across from him, he said to Anna, “I want you to eat with me.”
I couldn’t help but see Jesus across the table from me and saying, “I want you to eat with me.”
For a few years now, as my body has changed, I wake up early in the morning while darkness predominates the hour. I feed the cat, make some coffee than sit in my recliner. I read one of Solomon’s proverbs, a psalm, and some other Scripture.
As I write this devotions this morning, I see something else happening. Today I see myself at table with Jesus and I hear his invitation to eat with him. With him, that’s the key. He’s not only the server of the meal, he’s the host.
Phil laughed with his guest, he talked with his guest, he took interest in his guest. Jesus laughs with you, he talks with you, he is passionate about you. I pray that today, ringing in your ears, are the words of Jesus; “I want you to eat with me.”
Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Hi Doug! Glad you “happened ” on my email. Liked your devotion [except for the early riser part]. But I’ve been hoping to connect with in concern for the “spiritual health” of summer time saints ways at LVR. Most of the retired etc. folks I’ve depended on for leading summer services have left the scene or just got too old. But I’m looking for a n ew group of dedicated retired pastors who would enjoy leading a sunday Summer service or two at LVR & think you would be great. The “saints” at LVR have lost their affinity to attend & I’d like to rebuild a faithful flock, socially & above all spriritually [like it used to be here. How would you like to help me do that by volunteering for a Sunday or more. We hold services in the Ranch House at 10 am; the honorarium is $200/; and your enjoyment of CO enjoyment time is included for a week or so to spend using a facility of some one is not using theirs for that time. Let me Know. You will be the 2nd to be on my list & first to select the dates you can serve! Blessings! Clare
Clare, I am interested. You can email me at dougbrauner@yahoo.com and we can discuss this further. Blessings Doug