When I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Gambia, every meal provided an open invitation to anyone nearby. Whenever food was served, all were invited with this refrain: “Come and eat!” Until those within earshot said yes, they’d hear: “Come and eat.”

“Come and eat” has become my refrain too. It’s an invitation that forms the heart of how I live out my calling. “Come and eat” compels me to take time to offer what I have to others. “Come and eat” reminds me that the gospel life is best lived in community, where we join our voices together for justice and peace; where we hold ourselves accountable to value the richness and diversity of God’s kingdom.

                                    Freed to serve others

                                    By Kimberly Knowle-Zeller, Living Lutheran, October 28, 2020