A few weeks back, Tommy was a little nervous about leading the communion meditation at his church for the first time. When it came time to lead the meditation, Tommy put the nervousness behind him and bared his heart before God and the congregation. Thank you Tommy for being willing to share this meditation again through our e-devotion, “On a Mission”.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
The word communion means “to share” or to have something in common.” Although it is more than just a feeling, the feeling is rather nice.
Communion is what you feel the first time you fall in love, and they love you back. You can almost read their mind, and when they go away, your heart breaks.
Communion is what you feel in the middle of the night when your spouse is trembling from a nightmare and gently, you wake them from it. They thank you with a hug for saving them from the terrors of the nighttime.
Communion is what you feel when you are really, really down and a friend drops by for a visit. For two hours you trade woes, and when you are done, you are both laughing like school kids, and the world looks bright.
Communion is what you feel when you are striding down the walking trail with God’s sun in your face, the wind in your hair, and the birds cheering you on.
Communion is what you feel at a funeral of a godly friend. You are relieved that their suffering is over and you feel that they are in Heaven then Heaven will be a pretty nice place to be.
Communion is what you feel when a neighbor calls to say, “We lost our son in the war,” and you lost your own son in the war last year.
And Communion is what you feel when you are sitting in church, feeling lower than a lizard because of careless and stupid choices you made when confronted by terrible temptations.
Suddenly the worship team begins to sing, “Lord Jesus I long to be perfectly whole, I want thee forever to live in my soul. Break down every idol, cast out every foe, now wash me and I shall be white as snow.”
Then you reach for the unleavened bread, wondering if God can really forgive you yet again. You rinse the bread down with the blood of the vine, and your eyes are moist with relief. You can almost hear your Savior say, “Its OK, I understand. I was tempted too, remember? And I overcame temptation just so I could help you in times like this. I forgave you for everything, and I’m giving you a new, unspoiled week. Call on me whenever things get tough.”
Please join me reciting the Lords Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
