Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #23 — Potluck for Peace

Picture: Counsel #23 — Potluck for Peace CR 352.1

From the earliest pages of history, food has been the center of human connection. Ancient tribes gathered around fire pits to share meals after a hunt, and families in biblical times came together for feasts like the Passover. Even in the life of Jesus, some of His most significant moments happened at meals, such as breaking bread at the Last Supper. CR 352.2

Across cultures and centuries, food has never just been about survival. It’s been about relationships. Today, meals still hold the power to bridge gaps and build trust. Think of how a simple lunch with coworkers can turn colleagues into friends, or how a team dinner can break down hierarchies and open up honest conversation. Sharing food simply disarms us. In the workplace, a potluck can allow people to share pieces of their culture. A beverage break can open the door to encouragement, and even choosing to sit with someone new in the breakroom while they enjoy a snack can communicate value and inclusion. When you “break bread” with others, you’re doing more than eating, you’re nourishing connection — just as God intended!^[368] CR 352.3

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9 NIV CR 352.4

“When the spirit of hospitality dies, the heart becomes palsied with selfishness.” Ellen White in My Life Today, p. 194 CR 352.5

Reflect: Who can you invite to share a meal with this week at work to strengthen connection? CR 352.6