Crumbs For Dinner?

I had just prepared dinner for Jack, our huge, goofy, but lovable giant puppy. He looked eagerly at his bowl, but suddenly, something on the floor gained his full attention. Crumbs! I could hardly believe it! A choice of a tasty dish — or crumbs — and he decides to lick away on the floor! I tried coaxing to no avail.  I pushed his head to the direction of his bowl. Nothing worked. He was content on the crumbs closest to him, rather than having to walk five feet to get his fresh dinner in his bowl!

I sat back and watched in dismay as Jack licked the floor of the very last crumb. I found it mind boggling that he would make such a choice when the best was his for the taking. That’s when a truth hit me: Does God also watch in dismay when He places a dish of His blessings so near, yet in our haste and desire for ease, we choose the crumbs of convenience instead?

You see, God has clearly shown us how to walk with joy, peace, and courage, even in the darkest of our moments.  He has written it all down in His love letter to us— we call it the Bible. It takes time to open His words, to read and meditate on the truths and instructions found there.  Much easier to simply draw a card from a verse holder, read it, and carry on through our day.  Now, please don’t think I’m criticizing the stacks of the “verse of the day” cards that one can purchase in the Bible book store; but I am suggesting, if that is all one does, then that one is settling for crumbs when a whole loaf of God’s goodness is available.

In the Old Testament book of Samuel, there is the story of Mephibosheth, the disabled grandson of the former King Saul. The current King David invited Mephibosheth to live in his home and to sit at his table for all his days. Mephibosheth did not feel worthy to feast at the king’s table.  He said this in II Samuel 9:8, “Who am I that you would show such kindness to a dog like me?”  Even so, he accepted the king’s invitation, sitting with him, enjoying both the king’s company and his food.

Isn’t that just how it is with us?  God invites us to dine at His table, to devour the truth of His words, to bask in the joy and peace of His company.  We are not worthy to do so; however, God’s love compels Him to invite us . He has prepared the best for us, to fill us up with His goodness.   We can feast at the King’s table everyday — or like Jack — we are free to settle for crumbs.