Called to the Table

By Esther Tauhid, Toronto, Canada

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. – Psalm 23:5

Nobody wants to sit at any table with enemies. It’s a situation most would instinctively avoid. But sitting with friends and, in this case a King, sounds more like what would be our preference. However, this scripture tells us that the King of kings is preparing a table for us. That requires willingness, care, love and attention. And he has invited us to come sit! But wait, in the presence of our enemies? They are invited too?

I thought about which of my enemies would be present. Fear and insecurity? What about paranoia, panic attacks, negative thoughts, sickness or various challenging life experiences? I don’t like any of them. I don’t want to face any of them, and I don’t want to be in the same space with them. I’m someone who could ignore them – forever. 

Why are they invited to the table?

But here, in the presence of those enemies, the Good Shepherd is also at the table. He is not merely present but attentive, constantly providing me with what I need. For me, the overflowing cup symbolizes the abundance of support I needed to confront and conquer these adversaries.

Jesus anoints my head and He does this in their presence. He is assuring me, and warning them that I belong to Him and He will not let them get to me.

The key takeaway is that I must actively participate in this experience; I also have to sit at the table. It cannot be a quick and convenient drive-thru experience where I check in and run off.

Sitting at the table entails facing my enemies, allowing Jesus to attend to me, and leaning into His love, guidance and care.

I experienced this recently when I fell sick and had to deal with overwhelming pain. Whether I sat or laid down, I was in excruciating pain and had to rely on the support of loved ones for help to do basic things. I needed more than that though. In answer to that need, I saw how God allowed doctors, tests and appointments to be rescheduled so that I could get answers more quickly. Divine intervention! It felt like heaven when I experienced the first few hours of relief.

So when next I am faced with one of my enemies, I will pay attention to the lessons being taught, seek support from the Good Shepherd, accept kindness from others and fully embrace the process. I will lean into how He is filling my cup up with what I need.

Let it be that my enemies are invited to watch me overcome. Seated at the King's prepared table with my cup overflowing, and my head anointed by my attentive King, victory becomes a tangible reality on this battlefield of life. It might sound terrifying; it might even be scary or painful to face enemies, but I am assured of this: the King of kings, the Good and Able Shepherd is the one who prepared the table for me.

Reflection Questions

When you are faced with a challenge, big or small, what or who do you first pay attention to, and why? If the challenge persists or intensifies, how are you most likely to respond, and why?

What or who can be your constant reminder that Jesus has prepared a table for you? How will you tap into this the next time you are pressed in by your “enemies”?

Esther Tauhid serves as the Manager, Settlement Network at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, overseeing operations in the Toronto (GTA) region. Her managerial portfolio encompasses a network of more than 149 government agencies dedicated to welcoming newcomers to Canada. Beyond her professional commitments, Esther wears multiple hats. She is an immigrant herself, as well as a devoted wife and mother to two young adults.