Uncommen: Freely GivenSample

Grace As A Meal

If our mission is to reach the world one community at a time, meals are a way to celebrate. Meals with Jesus shared his message of grace and defined his mission. Mary Douglas shared that “meals represent boundary markers in all cultures marking boundaries of intimacy and acceptance.” Acceptance is something we all strive to achieve. We even long for it at all stages of life, reflecting on the rough middle-school years. However, it would be tough to imagine finding acceptance in a foreign land with little knowledge of the native language.

Just as Jesus included the woman at Simon’s dinner, we can have those in our community join us. The intimacy of a meal together creates an almost immediate inclusion in the family. I had the opportunity to share this experience through meals with the folks from the Myanmar community. Together they gardened a 3500 square foot plot. My wife was one of two American women who partnered with Myanmar’s tribes to grow native Myanmar vegetables in Iowa. Non-native vegetables can be challenging to grow, and despite facing language and cultural barriers, they achieved incredible results. My wife shared her experience with the women from Myanmar. She found “That they have a rich heritage tied to food different from mine” food was part of their community. It brought their families together just as it got this group of strangers together as they bonded like a family. They meet weekly to share meals culturally relevant to their home provinces and learn about each other. Friends, food, and grace were in the garden around a meal. They became a community centered around a common theme.

Jesus reveals He is the bread of life, becoming part of the meal through the Lord’s Supper, serving as a great reminder of hospitality costs.

“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32–35)

Hospitality is not comfortable. The Apostle Peter reminds us to be hospitable without complaining. (1 Peter 4:9) There will be difficulties. However, the rewards are worth it.

Uncommen Questions:

Have you ever struggled with acceptance?

Have you ever shared a meal with someone from a different culture?

Uncommen Challenge:

Share an Uncommen experience with someone around food, or think of ways you can bridge a relationship gap by stepping out of your comfort zone.