Rude Awakenings
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Consider how real change begins when we allow ourselves to truly wake up—to the pain around us, the ways we’ve been shaped, and the call to love more deeply.
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
— Mahatma Gandhi
John 16:33
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Luke 9:23
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Food For Thought
One day recently, I found myself sitting with Jim Carrey (yes, that Jim Carrey). We were talking and laughing easily about life, acting, and comedy – as if we’d known each other for years, but it seemed we had just met. It was that special moment where you know a deep, meaningful friendship was blossoming. It was exciting, and precious, and…WOMP WOMP WOMP – the most obnoxious noise blared through the moment, totally ruining it! “What in the world is that?!,” I thought, right before…my eyes fluttered open, and I realized my alarm clock was going off, shaking me out of such a cool dream! I had been snapped rudely back into reality, where there was no budding friendship with Jim Carrey (though I do think we’d get along great).
Sometimes, waking up is not fun – you get about one second to exist in your dream world before having to face reality. It can be jarring, and a little bit sad and disappointing, but it's always necessary. We can't go around thinking that we're living in a dream world – no matter how cool it may seem. We do eventually have to face reality because if we don’t face it, we can’t deal with it. We can't move forward through it, if we choose to keep ignoring it or denying it.
Most of us have had hard moments where the reality we thought we knew turned out to be more of a dream world with a rosy glow and softened edges – a relationship turning toxic, a person showing colors we didn’t initially see, being confronted with our own hurtful ways that we’d been oblivious to, situations happening around us that we maybe weren't aware of. But we need to be aware of these things – painful as they may be – so that necessary differences can be made.
The term “woke culture” is one we’ve heard more of in recent years. It can often be criticized as overly sensitive or extreme, but as I have learned more about its origin and its evolution, I think at its core, it’s really about paying attention – being aware of what’s happening around us, recognizing how people are affected differently, and being willing to change the things that cause harm. That kind of awareness takes courage. It’s not easy to rethink long-held assumptions or change the way we move through the world. Growth can bring discomfort, grief, frustration, or even shame. But on the other side of that work is the possibility of greater wholeness, justice, and healing.
There are countless moments of injustice and persecution in humanity’s history – and present – that only shifted because someone took the initiative to wake up and realize the damage they were doing, then had the courage to stand against them and face the consequences of pushing against the status quo.
Few have set a better example of this than Jesus. Jesus raised his voice against the greed, prejudice, and abuse of power that had infiltrated the society he lived in. He preached love, inclusion, and charity, and he instructed us to do the same. Jesus warned, early and quickly, that following His example would not be easy, but he also reassured us that our hardships would not have the final say. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
So, if we are to follow the example of Christ, we must respond to the needs around us. We must feed the hungry, stand against harm and injustice, and lift up those who are struggling. We must use our hands and feet to bring healing and change into this big, beautiful world.
And many people already are. Many in our communities have become more aware of the harsh realities others face and are doing what we can, where we can. And some of us are still waking up – still learning how to see more clearly, listen more deeply, and respond more faithfully.
We have so far to go, but we can get there – one by one, one awakening at a time.
Pay attention to one need in your community that you may normally overlook—a lonely neighbor, a struggling coworker, an overwhelmed teacher, a local outreach effort, or someone whose voice is often ignored. Then take one small, tangible action: send encouragement, offer help, donate supplies, volunteer time, or simply listen deeply. Big change often begins with small awakenings lived out consistently.
Have a conversation with someone whose life experiences differ from your own, or read a book/watch a documentary that helps you better understand a struggle you’ve never personally faced. Rather than trying to fix or debate anything, simply listen and learn. Awakening often begins when we allow someone else’s story to expand our understanding of the world.
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
God of Truth and Compassion,
Awaken our hearts to the needs and realities around us. Give us courage to respond with love, humility, and mercy, even when growth feels uncomfortable. Help us follow the example of Christ by bringing healing, justice, and kindness into the world each day.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
What do you think it means to truly “wake up” to the experiences and struggles of other people?
Are there places in your life where you feel invited to listen more deeply, pay closer attention, or grow in compassion?
What is one small action you could take this week to bring kindness, healing, or encouragement to someone else?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Why do you think it can sometimes be hard to notice when someone else is hurting or needs help?
Jesus cared about people who were left out or treated unfairly. What are some ways we can do the same at school or at home?
What are some small ways we can “wake up” and pay more attention to the people around us each day?
Meet This WEek’s Writer...
June Dare Bunce is a native North Carolinian and one of the founders of The Welcome Table. Outside of TWT, she’s been a professional actor since 2009 and has had the honor and pleasure of working as a drama instructor for organizations such as The Harlem Children’s Zone and the YMCA. When she’s not working on a script or at the office, you can either find her at the gym or on the yoga mat, walking around whatever town she’s living in at the moment, or working on the art of relaxing at home (it really is a skill).
To hear more from June throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!