Eating at Biaggi’s: A Lesson in True Restoration
While out at dinner tonight, our sweet and spunky one-year-old was being her playful self. She started ripping the paper that covered the tablecloth and throwing the torn pieces all over the floor. In an attempt to keep the mess under control, we folded the paper back out of her reach. But she wasn’t done yet. The next thing she grabbed was the tablecloth itself. As she lifted it, we got a glimpse of the table underneath.
What we saw surprised us. The table was peeling, dingy-looking, and definitely not what you’d expect beneath such elegant dinnerware and a pristine white tablecloth in the middle of a beautiful dining room. At that moment, the Holy Spirit whispered to me: This is what we are like when we try to clean ourselves up and take care of ourselves without Jesus.
The Truth About Our Condition
The reality is, without Jesus, we are all like that dingy, worn-out table. Scripture tells us in Romans 3:23 (NKJV), “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No matter how much we try to present ourselves as polished and put-together, underneath it all, we are broken, sinful, and in need of true restoration.
Jesus even called out the Pharisees for this very thing in Matthew 23:27 (NIV) when He said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” Just like that restaurant table, we can try to hide our imperfections under layers of good deeds, religious habits, or a put-together appearance, but God sees beyond the covering.
The Good News: God Loves Dingy Tables
But here’s the beautiful truth: God absolutely loves and adores those dingy, worn-out tables. He doesn’t just cover them up to make them look good on the outside; He restores them completely.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) reminds us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” God doesn’t just patch up our messes or disguise our brokenness. He makes us brand new from the inside out. He takes what is falling apart and brings restoration, purpose, and beauty.
Removing the Covering and Letting God Restore You
Looking good on the outside isn’t a true indicator of what’s happening on the inside. The challenge for us is this: Don’t cover yourself up before the Lord. Don’t settle for simply appearing fine when you can be truly transformed. Remove the covering. Remove the tablecloth. Let God into every mess, every broken place, and every dingy, crumbling part of your life.
Let Him restore you. Let Him bring you back to life. Allow Him to make you new.
Reflection: What are the “tablecloths” in your life? What things do you use to cover up your struggles, pain, or shortcomings? Ask God to help you remove them and invite Him to do the deep work of restoration in your heart.
Scriptures to Reflect On:
- Romans 3:23 (NKJV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- Matthew 23:27 (NIV) “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
God isn’t interested in appearances. He’s after your heart. Will you let Him in?
Featured Photo by Ibrahim Boran on Unsplash
