Coming to the Table by Amy Layne Litzelman

by Rachael Adams | Feb 6, 2025 | The Love Offering Guest Blog Series

Their eyes glistened excitedly as I placed bowl after bowl on the table. Roasted acorn squash stuffed with onions and brussel sprouts; kale salad; goat cheese; dates; homemade sauerkraut; lentils with Indian spices; and more. It is a feast for both body and soul.

Our dear friends come through our area each fall, and I can’t wait for our long conversations around dinner. We share the hardships and our awe of God’s faithfulness as we slowly eat together. These evenings are a highlight of my year.

The joy I receive in preparing and sharing this meal reminds me of scriptures where God invites us to eat with Him.

I think of Jesus’s letter to the church of Laodicea in Revelations 3:14-22. Although He cautioned them strongly for their shortcomings, He also extended a very intimate invitation: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Jesus is looking for those who will invite Him into deeper friendship. Those who will sit down to savor a meal together.

Remember David’s words in Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Even as a jealous Saul hunted him down, David knew that dining with his heavenly Shepherd would sustain him to continue the journey.

Although we often feel pressure to do something to fix our problems, taking time to sit and eat with God is the most productive step we can take. His words of love and wisdom give hope and guidance when needed. Giving Him the gift of our time is a precious love offering that pours back upon us a hundredfold.

God also invites us to His table for celebration. Like the father who called for a feast when his wayward son returned home (Luke 15:11-24), God takes great delight when we stop to savor and celebrate our growth and victories with Him.

While it’s easy to picture having a meal with family or friends, you may not often think about sitting down to eat with God. May I suggest a few ideas to get started?

Just as I set aside extra time to be with our friends, give yourself time to sit with God in a quiet, special setting. Let yourself sink into the idea of enjoying a meal together, as David encouraged in Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Meditate on the beauty of God’s character.
Savor His words in scripture.
Sit quietly, listening for His word for this moment.
Contemplate His acts of power and wisdom in nature.
Take communion, slowly reflecting on Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.

Whether you’re savoring a feast God has prepared for you or a meal you’ve arranged for others, both give a precious opportunity to experience the joy and presence of your Creator. Both are a beautiful expression of a love offering.

About the Author:

Author, teacher, and worship mentor Amy Layne Litzelman shares her personal journey to teach others how to turn every moment into a platform to know God more intimately. Weaving scripture with daily life, Amy creates a tapestry to show how walking with God transforms us into our true, unique identities, able to partner with Him in unexpected ways. Amy wears the hats of journalist, songwriter, musician, foodie, wife, mom, and Gramma, but her favorite is friend of God. She and her husband, Matt, live near Dillon, MT.