My daughter recently ordered some patio furniture for her back patio. Because it was a rather large, heavy box and because she needed hubby’s help with assembly, she had it delivered to our house.
The patio furniture arrived.
Voila!
When hubby and I purchased our own patio furniture, ours was labeled as a “Conversation Set.” I liked that. A “Conversation Set” invites people to come. It seems to say: “Let’s sit down together and chat.”
A “Conversation Set” is meant for the outdoors. It’s meant for slowing down. It’s meant for listening to the wind in the trees and the chorus of birdsong. A “Conversation Set” is an invitation to relax and stop stressing. It’s an invitation to hang out together.
A “Conversation Set” is an invitation to relationship. It’s a place where friendship is built; where laughter is shared; where problems are pondered; where ideas are discussed.
All last week my daughter’s new “Conversation Set” sat in our front entryway, awaiting assembly. And every time I walked past and saw it, this verse went through my mind:
“’Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD.” – Isaiah 1:18
God invites us to come. God is saying: “Let’s sit down together and chat.” That’s amazing!
God wants to have a relationship with us.
Just like my daughter’s new “Conversation Set” arrived all packed up in a box at my front door, so also there is a metaphorical “Conversation Set” (so to speak) which God has for us.
God wants us to slow down. God invites us to relax and stop stressing. God invites us to hang out together with him.
God says: “Come. Let’s sit down together and chat.”
When we respond to God’s invitation to have a relationship with us, it’s as if we accept the delivery of the “Conversation Set.” We bring it in from off the doorstep of our heart. We bring it into our very life … and we open up the box.
Opening up the box of our spiritual “Conversation Set” we see many pieces and parts. It’s a process to put it together. Here you can see hubby at work assembling my daughter’s “Conversation Set.”
In the same way, the Christian life is a process. There are lots of pieces and parts. There are pieces of humility. There are pieces of compassion. There are pieces of gentleness which need to be assembled together with pieces of forgiveness.
There is an “instruction booklet” (aka: the Bible).
We don’t have to sit here staring at all these pieces and parts wondering what on earth to do with them and how to assemble them. God himself is right here with us helping us assemble the “Conversation Set” together. [or aka: put together the Christian life]
Some parts are challenging to put together. We don’t have the strength to turn the screws. No worries. God’s got the tools we need to get the job done. If we need a “power drill” (so to speak) God gives us the power to get the job done.
Whatever tool we need, God’s got it … and God will provide.
Voila! The finished “Conversation Set” on my daughter’s back patio … all ready for warm sunny days … picnics … and fun times of hanging out and making memories!
“Come,” God invites us, “Let’s sit down together and chat.”
“Relax, and stop stressing. Let’s hang out together.”
And so, around our spiritual “Conversation Set” our relationship with God grows. We chat and visit together. Our friendship is deepened. We laugh together. Together we share tears. We ponder problems. We discuss ideas. We delight with joy and awe over all of God’s amazing goodness!
Have you accepted delivery of the “Conversation Set” God has for you, at the doorstep of your heart?
“’Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD.” – Isaiah 1:18
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
