
Sometimes on a random Tuesday or other non-church day, I will get a nudge in my heart to observe communion. This practice began during Covid and I often observe it in the kitchen because there are fewer distractions. These observances are humbling and deeply moving but also an act of obedience.
On a recent Tuesday afternoon, I got that nudge. I went to the kitchen to find the supplies for communion in the refrigerator, and I realized that the dishes weren’t done. Breakfast remnants still remained on the stove top. I can’t observe the Lord’s Supper in a dirty kitchen, can I?
The argument in my head lasted several minutes. Is there a rule or law somewhere that says that I can’t observe communion in a dirty kitchen? How did I come to believe I need to be (borrowing a Mary Poppins phrase) spit-spot perfect before I can walk in obedience? Isn’t obedience to God more important than religious piety?
In my thoughts, I heard the question, “Don’t you believe in grace?”
How is that so many times when I go to do a good thing, it somehow ends up being about something other than my love for God?
Once again, thoughts of Mary and Martha come up (Luke 10). Mary sat at the feet of Jesus loving Him. Martha was more worried about doing good things the right way.
Jesus walks into the center of our mess and asks us to sit with Him awhile.
What Is It We Really Believe?
As I observed the Lord’s Supper with dirty dishes in the sink, I began to think about all of the things I say I believe. This article could have been titled “The Truth Behind the Lies”. Except I am not thinking about lies we believe. I’m thinking about what we say we believe versus what we say to ourselves in the small moments of the day. There are lies in our hearts lurking behind the things we say out loud.
I say I am forgiven yet I walk around in shame.
I say that God is with me and I trust him yet I am frequently anxious and fearful.
I say that God is ever present and gracious yet I think I have to do the dishes before I can pray.
The Lie and the Truth
Lie:
The world would have me believe that worshiping a mystical fairytale is nothing more than a delusion used as a crutch to get through hard times.
Truth: God is real. Jesus is alive. Unconditional love unlike anything found in this world is the source of strength and hope that gets me through hard times.
Lie:
The world wants me to believe that if I were more productive God would love me more and I would have higher worth and value.
Truth:
The world’s love is conditional. I have to meet their expectations. But God doesn’t need me. God invites me to relationship. His love is not conditional on how many stars I get on the attendance chart at church, how many hot meals I serve to the poor, or how many Bible verses I have memorized. I love God and believe that Jesus is alive. I am loved by Him and He is not ashamed to call me his friend.
Lie:
The world tells me that I have to be relevant to society to matter. If I’m not a certain size or age, good looking, a social media influencer, or enormously talented, I might as well stay out of everyone’s way.
Truth:
The greatest works of God don’t happen on the stage at Madison Square Garden. God’s greatest works happen in the quiet of the human heart, one person at a time. The most miraculous work of God is a mystery between Himself and an individual. I may have the privilege of lighting the darkness or pointing the way. But only God’s power performs miracles. I am a steward in the household of God the Most High King. I don’t need the applause of the world or its approval.
Lie:
My disabilities, quirks, weaknesses make me unfit for acceptance and a bad Christian. If people dislike or exclude me, then there’s something wrong with me and I will never belong.
Truth:
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. By God. He made me to know Him and He is loving and gracious and kind. Besides, Jesus Himself said we would have troubles in this life. Jesus says I am blessed! (Matthew 5).
Lie:
The world says that because bad things have happened to me, God is unfair. Why would I believe in a God that allows me to suffer?
Truth:
Suffering and death is guaranteed to every human who walks on earth. Suffering and death have happened to every human since Adam and Eve. What have I ever done that is so righteous and good that God should make me exempt from what every single soul on the planet experiences? Why should I consider myself so special that I should never have hardship?
I have grown as a human mostly because of difficulty. If I lived in ease and comfort, never experiencing pain of any kind, I would be the most self-absorbed, unaware, useless human ever. I am thankful for difficulty because God chooses to be with me and reveal Himself to me. He has given me the gift of eternity with Him and I am grateful.
My Prayer
I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are honest. I ask God’s mercy and the kindness of His forgiveness when what I say out loud is followed by unbelief in private. I pray that my obedience in spiritual life is because of love for Him and not some kind of self-effort to be acceptable. May the life of Jesus find expression in me.
"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
Recommended reading: Psalm 19
Copyright @ TA Boland 2025
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