.jpg)
I hope you’ve had a blessed week. Not long ago, I read a deeply moving book titled “The Table I Long For.” It was one of those reads that stays with you—spiritual, biblical, uplifting, and practical. Most importantly, it was centred on Jesus.
As you might guess from the title, the table is used as a powerful metaphor throughout the book. It represents the way Jesus invites us into relationship—with Him and with one another. It’s not just a place to eat; it’s a place of grace, belonging, and transformation. And if Jesus used the table to welcome the outcast, the seeker, the doubter, and the faithful alike, then we, as His followers, are called to do the same. Therefore, ’ve been reflecting a lot lately on this simple yet deeply powerful idea: the table.
Not the dinner table exactly—but the kind of table where hearts are open, conversations run deep, and everyone belongs. The table I long for is one where grace is the main dish, laughter is passed around freely, and no one leaves hungry—spiritually or otherwise.
When I think of Jesus, I can’t help but notice how often He gathered around a table. Whether it was at Levi’s house with tax collectors and sinners, or the last supper with His closest friends, Jesus made room. He didn’t just preach from a mountaintop; He pulled up a chair next to people others pushed aside. And when the early church formed, they followed suit—breaking bread together daily, sharing what they had, and making sure no one was left out.
That’s the kind of church I long for. The kind of community I believe the Holy Spirit wants to transform us into. But let’s be honest, tables don’t automatically make room. Sometimes we have to scoot over, grab another chair, and open up space for someone who doesn’t look like us, vote like us, think like us, or believe exactly like us and that can be uncomfortable. But friends, that’s the gospel.
So, here’s a little invitation let’s build that table together. Here are a few ways we can begin: Practice intentional hospitality. Invite someone new for a meal, drink, or even just a chat. You never know the difference a small act of welcome can make.
Be a bridge, not a barrier. If someone shows up with questions, doubts, or life stories that seem different from yours, choose to listen first. There’s power in presence and look for the overlooked. Whether it’s in a ministry group, on a Sabbath morning, or during a midweek gathering—let’s be people who notice who’s sitting alone and say, “Come sit with me.”
The table I long for is not perfect. It's sometimes messy. But it's full of hope, of second chances, and of people who know that Jesus is the true host, and we’re all guests saved by grace.
Let’s keep setting that kind of table, week by week.
With gratitude and joy, David Peñate.
