PARTAKE

verb:  to share in, participate

“By which he has granted to us precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature...” 2 Peter 1:4 ESV

One of my grandparents’ favorite places to travel was to a gentle, uncrowded Hawaiian beach called Napili Bay. Luckily for me, they enjoyed taking their children and grandchildren with them sometimes. The happy memories and the beauty of that spot have a special place in my heart forever.

Every trip included one special brunch organized by Grandma. We would all dress up and go to a fancy hotel with fountains and swans and live music. The meal was a gorgeous buffet of tropical fruits, baked goods, eggs, rice, meats, and seafood dishes. Grandpa would delight in watching the kids–all wide-eyed and giggly–piling mostly sweets on our plates as he did the same. We could have as much as we wanted.

It was such fun, and so filling for our bellies and our hearts.

But what if, for any number of reasons, one of us just stood to the side and watched the others eat?

What if one of us just walked around the buffet with a plate but didn’t put any food on it?

What if one of us filled a plate with delicious-looking food, but didn’t take a single bite?

Grandma and Grandpa intended for each one of us to enjoy the meal and the family time. It would feel strange and empty to miss out on so much goodness.

They wanted us all to partake, to “share in”. To participate, feed, and refresh.

To be a partaker means digging in and experiencing something fully.

Peter tells us here that God desires for us to be partakers of his divine nature. We read that his “…divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV.

So, what is on the table?

–All the things we need and more than we could ever hope for.

–The opportunity to know him through his word, through his spirit inside of us, and through his people.

–And every one of his “precious and very great promises” that remind us always of his devotion and power and amazing grace.

He has so generously given us a plate and a seat next to him. He doesn’t want any of us to miss out. 

INVITE HIM IN

Help yourself to the divine nature of God. You can have as much as you want–plate, after plate, after plate. God’s promises of wisdom and guidance for your life, of his faithful, merciful love, of his power to make all things new, of his protection from evil, and of the indescribable peace of his presence are yours. He’s treating you today.