I've been promoted, I realized, to a position of humility where my voice has been muted by passing trucks and gusts of wind; where even the mirrored glance doesn't meet any observance. The Older has been replaced with the Younger, the Newer.
I silently wondered to myself where I had made my last Whats-his-name sit when I was with Her. It was always the back burner, wasn't it? Chicks before "Ricks", I was taught.
Nope.
Amended.
But the kicker is, it's not about the seat. It was never about the seat. It's about what it represents.
Jesus knew this well, in His talk about taking the back seat to His apostles. He says in Luke 14:8-11,“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” This caused me to wonder many times in my newly designated position, What is the modern equivalent of taking the dud banquet seats? Is it this situation in the car with a 'best friend'? Or is it when you walk into a restaurant and the hostess bypasses the Window Seats, as you raise your eyebrows in dismay? Or did that sales rep ignore you in the store as you waited? Was it because she thought you couldn't afford that? What I think Jesus is talking about, is any time we are given less than what we deserve,or feel we have earned. That last one is especially important. Jesus spent His entire ministry warning people about the dangers of feeling that you have earned something, the greatest example being the Pharisees. How many times does this feeling lead to pride? How often does it lead to reliance on Self, rather than God? And how many times does it lead to disappointment? We should never let ourselves be convinced that we've earned, or deserve, anything. However, we are physical, relational creatures, and when this aspect of our lives is overthrown, especially relationally, we are UpSeT in the least. Being so sensitive to symbols & positions of Esteem (including that of a "social status" and consequently, relational love), we find ourselves defending these positions with an almost primal intensity. After all, there is nothing more provoking than being told, simply, "You. Are not worth [as much]." * * * * *
As Much. * * * * * As much as What, is the real question. As much as merely you happen to think, is God's answer. The good news is, in God's book,
you're in the front seat.
You've got the window with a view.
You're at the head of the banquet table.
In Luke 9:48b Jesus says with His own mouth, "Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” So, it looks like I've painted myself into a corner of disarm. See, once we fully realize the extent of God's esteem for us, --where He desires us to sit in His car, His restaurant, His Temple-- we can no longer feel upset at the demotions given by those around us. In the very least, it is balm for those fleshly wounds. His Word really is strength to our bones. These are my thoughts today. So, here's Cheers to the gallery seats!
All my Love,
Nicole Ellen
|
