So once in a while I like to get to the conference room a bit early and sit in a different chair so I can have a new view of the room and perhaps sit next to a different person. By the reaction of the other staff members one would think that I had tipped the canoe over on an icy river! Oh my goodness! These intelligent, highly educated, deeply spiritual leaders and workers were suddenly thrown out of their comfortable positions and were having to navigate new waters! It was an interesting experiment...I found it hilariously funny to watch their expressions as they attempted to figure out where to sit down and by whom they would now be sitting! Several were very vocal in their protests at having to rearrange their personal comfort zone for something so simple as a staff meeting.
I couldn't help thinking to myself, "And these are the people who are trying to teach others about stepping outside the box...reaching out to strangers on the street...sharing the gospel with lost souls both inside and outside the walls of the church?" Now, don't get me wrong...I am not attempting to be critical of my fellow servants for Christ. It was a lesson as much for myself as for them...and perhaps for you. If we are to be the light in the darkness...the salt of the earth...the voice of Christ to those who have not yet heard...how can we expect to do that when we are not even able to change positions at a friendly staff meeting without feeling out of place and uncomfortable?
Perhaps we each need to put ourselves to this little test...mix things up a bit in your own situation...try sitting next to a new person or a stranger the next time you are at church, or an office meeting, or a community gathering of some type. Maybe it would be a good idea to practice this at home first...try sitting in a different place at your dinner table or in your living room and look at things from a new vantage point. Put yourself in your child's place for a while...try to see things the way he/she sees it...or from your spouse's viewpoint...or any other family member or friend with whom you perhaps do not always see eye to eye. Carry that thought with you to work next time...if there is a difficult co-worker or even a supervisor...allow yourself the opportunity to look at the job or life from their perspective. You may come away with a new understanding of why that individual acts or reacts the way they do. You may actually begin to care more about that person as a real person and not just another co-worker or supervisor.
You know, Jesus has already set this example for us. When He left His throne in glory, and Christ, the Son of God, stepped down to earth and became One with us...to walk with us, talk with us, and even die FOR us, so that we might have everlasting fellowship and life WITH Him and His Father.
"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
"Immanuel", "which is translated, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23.He didn't leave us on our own to figure these things out...He left the Great Comforter, the Holy Spirit, about Whom He said,
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
Maybe this is one of those things...
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| To lighten things up a bit... How would you like to see life from the perspective of those two "love-bugs" sitting on the edge of a daylily? I'll bet you didn't even notice them until I mentioned it... |
"Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
Thanks for the reminder...er, even exhortation, which is a very good thing. I need it today, and probably tomorrow as well. I'm a slow learner. Now excuse me while I go sit in 'my' chair.
ReplyDeletejeskmom: LOL!!! Enjoy the view from wherever you may be at the moment!!! Every moment!!
ReplyDeletePam
Pamela:
ReplyDeleteIn all the different groups I have belonged to over the years, people tend to sit where they are comfortable. I walked into the church sanctuary late one Sunday and had to find a different seat. I wen to the side of the sanctuary rather than the middle. I found the view different. But I still like my usual seat or one two pews ahead of it.;)
Dear "Quietspirit"...I understand perfectly...one time we were new in a church (actually as the new Youth Pastor and family--but not too many knew us yet), and a gentleman came in and told us that we were sitting in HIS pew! He then pointed to the plaque on the end of it stating that he had donated it. I moved over and invited him to sit next to us, but he chose to sit behind us. He was some embarrassed when we were introduced later in the service and he discovered who we were! HA!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Pamela. When I was on a large staff the same thing happened, we had fav seats around the table it became a joke when things had to be change dup. Such creatures of habit!
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