IronGuys Law Enforcement Ministries
"WORDS OF WISDOM"
By Police Chaplains
"Let God Lift You Up"
By
Doni Daudel
Chaplain, Beaumont (CA) Police Department
When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, He gave them this advice: 8 “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?9 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! 10 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. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 14:7-11(NLT)
In these verses we see Jesus at the home of a Pharisee for a meal. Jesus notices that those in attendance are striving for the “seats of honor” near the head of the table. Jesus takes this opportunity to give them an example of humility through a parable. He gives them an example of someone taking the best seat at a wedding feast only to be removed when someone of greater honor, invited by the host, arrives. This person gets the best seat and you’re asked to take the lowest seat at the foot of the table. By choosing the lowest seat at the table, the host can offer you a better seat because you’ve shown humility over pride.
This parable is a valuable lesson to us today. It should cause us to look in the mirror and see what image is reflected. Will we see a sacrificial, humble, faithful and obedient servant willing to be nothing and do anything for God and others? Or will we see a person who is constantly striving to be recognized, honored and glorified by wanting to sit in the “seat of honor” wearing their “Crown of arrogance”..? God wants us to follow and serve Him with a humble and sacrificial heart. What we do is really unimportant because it’s God doing the work. It’s the heart behind what we do that matters and that is what God truly cares about.
Will we keep bucking for the best seat at the table or will we be content just be invited? Will we compromise by doing and saying whatever we have to so we can get that promotion or position in ministry? In 1Peter 5:6, Peter gives us sound advice: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” God honors humility because humble people willingly place God and others above themselves. Humble hearts want to accomplish Gods plan and be a blessing to others. Prideful, arrogant and selfish people have no problem stomping on the heads of others to climb to their perceived pinnacle of power, prestige and glory. So which are you? The prideful have nowhere to go but down. The humble have nowhere to go but up. Choose your seat at the table carefully.