Speaking of mission
“Table talk” (n.) Casual mealtime conversation.
When we are made Christian, we are made new. St. Paul tells us that “all things are new” for the believer (2 Corinthians 5:16-21).
We are reconciled, for one thing. And in the same moment and by the same mechanism, we are made agents of reconciliation. St. Paul explains that God was in Christ “reconciling the world to himself — and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
In short, we are given a new purpose for living. Agents of reconciliation talk reconciliation. They advocate, appeal, urge, and plea. Reconciled themselves, they invest their lives and energies that others might be reconciled, as well. This passage of Paul’s letter is typical of their purpose: it continues in a surge of urgent communication. “We appeal to you, therefore,” the apostle implores, “be reconciled to God [yourselves]” (v.20).
“TableTalk” is dedicated to this kind of communication among this kind of community. The reconciled talking reconciliation. It is a place to deposit — and maybe to retrieve — “Sayings” or “Snippets,” etc., describing our experience in God’s work of reconciliation here and there around the world.
Have a look around. If you are a reconciler yourself, you might find some encouragement. And if you are not, well, we refer you again to verse 20.