Lauri and I had a date night last Monday and enjoyed a dinner out. We went to a Japanese restaurant for a little Hibachi. Of course, if you have had a Hibachi dinner at a Japanese steak house you know there is nothing “little” about one of those meals. A younger family and an elderly couple joined us at our Hibachi table/grill and shortly after, our Japanese chef arrived to prepare our meals.
Now a good Hibachi dinner consists not only of high quality food, but also the entertainment found in the preparation of the meal. Our chef spun his cooking utensils with the skill of an old western gunslinger — banging them together and on the griddle creating a veritable symphony of culinary expectation. Why, just the thought of those sounds makes my mouth water in anticipation.
I think every Japanese steakhouse I have visited has essentially consisted of the same modus operandi. The egg spinning on the hot griddle ending with flipping it in the air and splitting it with the spatula as it falls. The flipping of cooked shrimp to each person to try to catch them in the mouth. The dramatic flaming onion volcano. And, of course, a Japanese chef.
You know, I can’t eat at an ethnic restaurant without thinking about Heaven. I know that might seem strange… but hear me out. Japanese food, Mexican food, Indian food, Chinese food — have you ever eaten shawarma… it’s an Arabic dish, and I am suddenly craving it right now as I write this pondering at 11:37 PM! You see, any ethnic food reminds me of the incredible cultural and racial diversity we will experience in Heaven.
Think about it… all the rich diversity of our world… living together in peace, harmony and love. No racial tension… no religious tension… no philosophical differences… no political agendas… no cultural angst. Just a mixed bag of all of planet earth’s people, worshipping and exalting Jesus together in unity forever.
John wrote, “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 NLT
So, the next time you have dinner at an ethnic restaurant (and no, Taco Bell doesn’t count), maybe take a moment to reflect on that future worship service that John saw as he viewed a scene from our future in Heaven, and breathe a quiet prayer of… “Lord Jesus, come quickly!” as you anticipate the joyful harmony Heaven will employ. And seriously, if you haven’t tried shawarma you really need to soon!
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