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Let’s Do Lunch

JodiJune 20, 2021

A few days ago I had the pleasure of having a spontaneous lunch with one of my dearest friends. We don’t see each other nearly enough, but when we do, it’s like we are always able to pick up just where we left off. We know each other so well that we can not only laugh and be silly with each other, but in the next breath talk about life’s most challenging and painful subjects. We know each other’s history and no explanation or back story is needed as we move from topic to topic. This kind of friendship is precious and rare and I am well aware of how blessed I am to have it.

A while back, I was looking at the daily verse on my bible app as I usually do first thing in the morning and a verse that I have read many times was featured. This time, however, the Lord revealed the verse to me in a different more literal light that gave me that smile that let me know I was shown a glimpse of heaven.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20

The NLT version says that Jesus will come in and share a meal as a friend. As I read this, I could picture Jesus coming to the home that He personally built for me and having a meal. I could picture being in a dwelling place made by my Creator who knows more about me than I do myself and feeling so much peace and joy and being reminded as I looked all around at every detail that Jesus included knowing what I loved and making sure it was perfect for me. Finally being in the New Heaven and New Earth, settled into this personal space yet being part of an eternal community gives me such a feeling of utter joy and an understanding of what being home truly feels like. In this place, our God is more personal than ever before. In this place, my Lord and Savior knocks on my door because I have heard his voice and invited him to my home and he will sit at the table I have prepared and we will literally share a meal as friends. We we will talk about things in the past- things of this world that shaped me, that made me laugh, that made me cry, that made me who I am- but we will look at them from such a different perspective than what I have right now. I can only imagine hearing these accounts of my life told by Jesus himself and getting his take on all that has happened. I would not feel rushed knowing we literally have all the time in the world and though every believer is wanting their own personal time with the Lord, He would always be available to everyone. This is what he has been longing for- to have a personal relationship with his beloved. This is the very reason we were created.

I can glimpse these personal, intimate one-on-one meals with Jesus but also times when He will gather with us in larger friend and family groups. I picture each of us having big enough eating areas in our homes to host such events- perhaps an open air area with soft lighting, cushions to recline on around a traditional low table and a delicious feast spread out before us. By studying his creation, I know our Lord has a sense of humor and I imagine him telling the best jokes mixed with stories and parables and new wisdom that will allow us to continue to grow and learn. The magnetism of his personality that drew the large crowds during Jesus’ ministry on earth will draw us all in during these meals. I am simply giddy thinking of how awesome this will be. I feel like Jesus has been like a pen pal that I have waited my whole life to meet, but with absolute guarantee I will NOT be disappointed in him and even better, he will not be disappointed in me. All judgement, shame and sorrow will be gone forever and we will be free to experience all that our Lord has in store for us and we will have eternity to do it. ❤️