SCRIPTURE:
"When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’"
Luke 14:7-11
OBSERVATION:
Have you ever arrived at an invitation-event-only with assigned seating where the table numbers are posted and you are advised at the reception table as to what table you are sitting at? You then quickly check to see if your table is in the front of the room or the back? You also take note of who else is sitting on your table and perhaps how important they are? Yes, I think we’ve all done this at one time or another; even if it was just a fleeting thought? It’s our natural tendency to admire others of stature and compare ourselves with them, which really ends up being pride. Often, it’s more prevalent when we ourselves have a position of authority and feel that we perhaps deserve a certain amount of entitlement because of our position, accomplishments, or relationships to the guest(s) or honor. These scriptures are a great reminder of the humility that should be a part of our DNA and heart, as it is so easy to feel important or accomplished and expect the recognition and entitlement.
APPLICATION:
I recall a funny incident once when I led a chapel with the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. After chapel I proceeded into the arena to watch the game having felt very honored to have had the opportunity to lead the ladies in chapel. There weren’t any ushers seemingly seating anyone so I took a seat and proceeded to watch the early game. A short time later, an elderly Japanese man stood next to me and with a disgruntled tone told me “eh, you sitting in my seat.” As I apologized and stood up and turned, I saw all the people in close proximity staring at me. Talk about feeling embarrassed. I felt embarrassed to the point of walking straight out of the Stan Sheriff Center to my car to leave. I went from feeling so honored to feeling kind of humiliated, and thought, that’s what it feels like as Jesus writes about feeling humbled. That was a great lesson for me to watch myself in letting God’s given blessing of authority and position go to my head or thinking that I deserve more then I have, or might desire in terms of recognition and authority. I would surmise that it can be so easy to believe our press of our accomplishments, or feel that our position grants us a certain amount of honor and privilege; when actually the opposite is the truth, that to be first is to serve others and not look to be served.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for the humility lesson and keeping my ego and pride in check. Please continue your work in me instilling humility within me as a leader and one who has been blessed by your calling and affirmation.
