The only Q that matters... GOD Q...

For the past several months I have been immersed in an intense leadership development program hosted by my employer. I have been introduced to topics I have never heard about. One of the most interesting topics I have studied thus far is Emotional Intelligence(EQ). In essence emotional intelligence means having a clear understanding of our emotions, not to mention the emotions of others, and an understanding of how our emotions influence our lives. To truly improve our emotional intelligence (EQ) there are four intelligence skills one needs to understand and take action.  One of those skills is self awareness.

Since I have been in the pursuit to live a life, where to live is  to worship and to worship is to live, I have used some of these secular nuggets to become aware of my soul, spirit and journey with the LORD.
 
Is it possible that many of us live unaware of the errors inside of us? Do we realize how many of our actions are manipulated by our desire to be accepted by others? Are we aware of fears that influence our decisions? The truth is most of us are ignorant of how we appear outwardly to others.  How much more are we unaware of how we are inwardly towards the Lord.

The good news is those who are IN HIM have the Holy Spirit and the Word to bring awareness of the hidden foes. The scriptures tell us the heart is more deceitful than all else. The Psalmist said,

Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression. Psalm 19;12-13

As humans we barely know the world around us how much more do we know our own soul. What's the remedy?  Search after God's heart as we do we will be searching our own. As we find Him we discover who we are in Him.  As we pursue the Lord we can repeat the words of King David:

Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

  
What can be more important than seeking God? Join me in taking a day, a month and run after Him once you find HIM don't let him go.

from the table... TO HIS TABLE

One of my greatest pleasures in life is cooking a meal in my little kitchen and seeing my family and friends enjoy. I remember as a little girl spending time in my grandmother's kitchen learning to make rice and beans. Of course there was no food network back then and my Abuelita (grandmother) didn't measure a thing. She would say "you put a little of this and a little of that and a whole lot of love into it." It was there at her table I learned what it meant to be hospitable and generous. We would eat to sound of beautiful ballads playing in the background as she told me the stories of yesteryear. 

Not only was my grandmother's kitchen a place of love so was my mother's. I am convinced that on the great day of the Lord my  mother will fully come to understand how many lives were touched by her love meals. Many times I asked myself why did she make so much food, there were only four of us in the house. Looking back she would make enough for anyone who would "happen to stop by." It was and still is her language of love. 

 Much of my life formation was done around a table. When I started dating my husband I was invited to their home for lunch after church. It was there, a very different type of meal was offered. Yes, there was food but I learned much about the scriptures, the move of the Spirit of God, to love and serve God with all my being. Their table though designed to satisfy natural hunger truly satisfied my spiritual need. 

What do these two tables have in common? Fast forward twenty years,  I looked in my kitchen as I was preparing our Thanksgiving meal and felt lead to set a different table for my guests. I decided we would first  partake of the table of the LORD. There we gathered in family to experience the sacred communal reality of communion. 

Just as my grandmother,mother and mother in-law demonstrated their hospitality at the table, so we came to the table of the Lord to bear witness as one family, of the radical hospitality of Jesus. During this act of worship, our attention was focused on HIM who was present in our midst as we gave Him thanks. As we partook I realized we were renacting an ancient play that will be seen once again in the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

As we celebrate the Christmas season there will be many beautiful tables set but none more loving and life changing then the table of the LORD.


Peace,
Jeannette