On the way to Table, Blake's catalytic converter almost fell off. My understanding is that this is a big deal and that his muffler and some other stuff was dragging the ground. At that point Blake and Andi had two options. They could have stopped and gone straight to a shop to try to get it fixed, or even turned around and gone home. They would have then taken there van in and spent about $75 for someone to put a $10 part on and it would have been done.
But they didn't choose that option. Because Table has a priority in their life, they weren't going to let a little thing like a catalytic converter dragging the asphalt keep them away. As a result, they were able to make it to their Table and discover that the other guys in the group could fix it for a mere trip to the parts store and about $10. But that's not all...
Blake and Andi would have missed the service provided them by their community. Pete wouldn't have gotten to help a friend with the knowledge he had, Cameron wouldn't have gotten to use the tools in his garage. They all would have missed the camaraderie that comes when guys fix cars. That is the Tangible Kingdom of God...that is a study of Jesus' commitment to priority and service. That is what it's all about.
Consistency is where this kind of community is built. What kinds of things will you say "no" to because that's the night your Table meets? By refusing to say "no" you just might be saying "no" to a lot more than you think.
Nothing like being "outed" as the guy who can't fix a thing!
ReplyDeleteBrad's point is dead on though. We guard our Table time as sacred and though it's tough some weeks to get there it's a priority.
But it wasn't always that way. In the past we've been in groups that in the spirit of being flexible (changed times, days, skipped a week, etc) have killed community. People lost interest or and in some cases even lost hope.
We were blessed the other night by our group. They not only saved me a few bucks (enough for the next Cubs game in town!) but they allowed me to be served (something that is a struggle for most people and especially us guys) and showed me what it means to be loved. They didn't make fun of me (saved that for the blogs) or lecture me on taking care of my cars- they helped me unconditionally, got bit by ants, and dirtied up a perfectly good white shirt. That's what community is all about.