Lunch With God

Did you ever notice how much people who live together begin to resemble each other in attitudes, actions, and sometimes, even looks? Of course the looks are debatable but when the others are in play, the perception people have will temper the appearance. The matter of how we appear to others is a matter that matters to many people, perhaps more than we realize. And it is important if we are to make a difference in the lives of people. As I think through these ideas, I realize that I do want to appear the very best I can be at all times.

The song by B. B. McKinney, which he wrote in 1924, gives us a good challenge, "Let others see Jesus in you, Let others see Jesus in you. Keep telling the story, be faithful and true. Let others see Jesus in you." A statement which I have heard many times and have often used is, "you may be the only Jesus that someone may see." Indeed, we are told in Scripture that Christ lives in us if we are His, but do others ever see Him in us? First John 4:13 says it this way, "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit."

There's a story I read that illustrates this point. --A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. The old man gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!" Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally. Matthew records the Lord's words, "...when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee?...as ye have done it unto one of the least of these...ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:37-40)

And how do we discover God, to lunch with Him? John's record of Revelation, chapter 3 and verse 20 tells us, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Think about it today, and be encouraged. God may be sitting on the next park bench, or He may be you, sitting down to share with someone who needs to eat lunch with Him.