Musical Chairs!

Musical chairs. Have we ever played it? You know, the game where everyone walks around a group of chairs while the music plays and then when the music stops, everyone scrambles for a chair. The challenge is there is always one less chair than there are people. Therefore, the one who doesn't get a chair is out, one more chair is removed, and the game begins again.

Scrambling for a desired place is not just a game for children. It is also a challenging game played in life. It is interesting to watch the seats people choose when a group is gathered. That choice may be an indication of how one sees themselves; at least where they think their place ought to be. Is it an indication of arrogance or HUMILITY?

Solomon wrote. . .
"(6) DO NOT PUT YOURSELF FORWARD in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great, (7) for IT IS BETTER TO BE TOLD 'COME UP HERE,' than to be put lower in the presence of a noble." ( Proverbs 25:6-7 ESV)

Perhaps if this proverb were written for youth today it might be phrased, "Do not jump into your friend's car claiming "I get to ride shot gun!", but instead, climb into the back seat and perhaps your friend will say, "Come ride up front with me."

Jesus also addressed this idea of the humiliation when one chooses the place upfront and then is asked to move because that place was intended for another. ( Luke 14:7-11) Jesus urged toward HUMILITY in the selecting of a lesser place and thus opening the door for the opportunity of being honored through being asked to move to a more notable seat. What embarrassment to be asked to move out of one's chosen place! On the other hand, how HONORED to be asked to move to a place reserved.

Why is that passenger seat upfront with the driver so sought out? Why are the best places at a banquet so longed for? It is because of an attitude of life being "all about me"! "I" wants to be noticed. "I" doesn't want the backseat or the back of the room or the lower seat at the banquet. "I" wants to be acknowledged rather than someone else getting that place. And in the process sometimes the Lord even loses His rightful position in relation to our life.

It is a contrast between assuming position and being given it. It is a contrast between exalting self and having self exalted. This is the very idea with which Jesus capped off His teaching by stating. . .

"(11) For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and HE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED." ( Luke 14:11 ESV)

Yes, it is through HUMILITY that exaltation comes. Our greatest blessings and glory are not through the advancing of ourselves, but through esteeming others and allowing the Lord to lift us up. Not pretending to be modest as a strategy for advancement, but truly HUMBLING ourselves to best serve the Lord's purposes. It is through serving that true greatness in found. ( Matthew 23:11-12) Even our Sovereign Lord modeled such as He walked this earth. May we continue HUMBLY serving His purposes now as we look forward to the day He extends His hand to us implying "Come up here to be forever with Me!"

Have a great day GLORIFIED THROUGH HONORING THE LORD WHERE WE ARE!
Carl

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