MANNA MINUTE

Imagine a long, beautifully prepared table where everyone has a seat. You find your name card and sit between two people you’ve never met before. The cutlery glistens in the light of flickering candelabras as slow murmurs of conversation begin. After awkward introductions, bread is broken and passed around. Soon, laughter and easy conversation flow. As you eat, the French woman beside you tells a story about her young daughter’s first day of school and how she cried while waving her little one off. Over dessert, the man on your other side talks about growing up in Ghana, West Africa. He says he remembers the smell of home — cocoa and bonfire smoke — and tells you how much he misses it. You share your story, too, finding it easier than you anticipated to tell two strangers your thoughts and feelings, your hopes and dreams. It’s odd: Even though you’ve just met them, no one here feels like a stranger. This is the table. This is the kingdom of God at work. Scripture is God’s beautiful invitation to all of humanity to come to his table. Through Jesus, we have a seat at this table — but not because we’ve earned it. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (NLT). Even though God sent the invitation out to all, some people don’t know they’ve been invited to his table. That’s where we come in. Our privilege as followers of Jesus is to bear witness to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As Christ’s ambassadors we represent a kingdom unlike any other.  As you consider what it means to be part of the kingdom of God, remember that Berkshire Christian is all about preparing men and women to participate in this kingdom here on earth. A new season is just beginning. Join us and be part of all that God is doing!