Here, Take My Seat

I entered the restaurant the other morning and knowing my coffee mate wasn’t going to be there, as he had an early morning doctor’s appointment in the big city, I figured I’d be sitting alone. I headed for the table we always sit at and was disappointed to see someone else occupying our space. I had to giggle at the thought of the old rancher who protested, “He should know I’ve been coming here the same time every morning for forty years and sitting at that table!” I really didn’t much care that someone was sitting there, except now my vantage point of the TV for the morning news was father away - now I’ll have to put my glasses on. It’s crazy how we can feel violated by others in our ritualistic routines.

“A Lady Took My Seat In Church….” written by Rowland Croucher.  A person should be comfortable sitting anywhere. It’s no big deal. Or is it? A lady took my seat in church a while back. It’s not that important really. She is a very nice lady, kind and considerate. A good friend, in fact. There were several other seats available. I can sit anywhere. The people in our congregation are as friendly and caring as you will find anywhere in the world. A person should be comfortable sitting anywhere. It’s no big deal. My seat is in the seventh row back from the front of the church. I’m sure she didn’t intend to take my seat. She just wouldn’t do that. Nor would anybody else in our fine church. It doesn’t make that much difference. My seat is on the end of the pew, on the north side by the windows. On your left as you come into the sanctuary. I can rest my left arm on the end of the pew. It’s a good seat. But I would never raise a fuss about a seat. She probably didn’t intend anything personal by taking my seat. I would never hold a grudge… Actually, it was about three months ago when she took my seat. I really don’t know why she took it. I’ve never done anything to her. I’ve never taken her seat. I suppose I’ll have to come an hour early now to get my seat. Either that or sit on the south side. She really took it because it’s one of the best seats in the house. That’s why she took it. She had no business taking my seat. And I’m not going to go to church two hours early to get what was rightfully mine from the beginning. This is the way great social injustices begin: abusive people taking other people’s seats in church. This is the way the seeds of revolution are sown. A person can only stand so much. Where is it going to end? If somebody doesn’t stand up and be counted, nobody’s seat will be safe. People will just sit anywhere they please. And the next thing they’ll do is take my parking place, too. World order will be in shambles… (Tongue-in-cheek of course)

[Romans 14 - 15:7] The church is made up of people who are different. In the New Testament people from all kinds of backgrounds were converted and became members of the same congregation. Paul said what mattered is that they were Christians. In Christ, he said, “Here (in the church) there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” They were to be humble and loving toward each other regardless of culture or social standing (Colossians 3:11-14). When you think about how different these groups of people were, it is amazing that they were able to attain unity. Today congregations are even more diverse. Please don’t get me wrong here. I’m not advocating the compromising of God’s Word to appease those who are clearly out to destroy the church. But if all the different kinds of people in the New Testament could come together in Christ, and have peace - why can’t we?