More Crumpets, Anyone?

I had a little tea party
This afternoon at three.
'Twas very small-
Three guests in all-
Just I, myself and me.
Myself ate all the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea;
'Twas also I who ate the pie
And passed the cake to me.
(The Tea Party, Jessica Nelson North)

“Small.” I think that is the operative word in this little scenario – a small party, a small guest list, a small heart, a small world.

Been there. I’ve grown quite a few soul sizes since then, but... I wonder what would happen if we really threw the “tea party” of our lives open to everyone? If every person we met in the course of a day truly was received by us as Christ Himself? Is that a scary thought? (What if I run out of sandwiches? Out of conversation? Out of time? Out of resources? What if just anyone sits down next to me? What if it grows to be a very large party indeed, and I lose control of it? What if... what if...?)

Jesus answered all our what-ifs, leaving no excuse for sitting alone at the little table of our lives, munching crumpets and sipping tea in self-satisfied silence. “For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). Give generously of your time and attention and compassion and energy, and the response will be generous – from people, and from Me.” In fact, Paul’s message to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 9:6-15) might be paraphrased this way:

Remember this: whoever invites only a few to his tea party will have fellowship with only a few. Whoever throws the party open to everyone will have a happy crowd! But God will not force you to broaden your world – He loves it when you willingly share the wideness of His heart. If you choose to do so, He’s well able to supply you with enough “tea in the teapot and crumpets on the plate” and grace and opportunity to bless others, so that you can always honor your guests like they were Christ Himself.

So set out some extra chairs. Pile the crumpets high in preparation. Today’s tea party is by open invitation, and every lonely, hungry person who stops by will be Christ Himself...