Friday, January 23, 2015

the best seat in the house








We once we taught in school that one day you too can be President.  The idea was that you can be anything you want, so dream big, and live big.  And I went to a school where it wasn’t if you went to college, it was which one.  What a disappointment it must have been when I went to a Junior college, only a two year school.  We would both repeat the same things the first year, essentially 13th grade, and it would only be the third where we would choose a major and pursue it.  Yet for many it would be like Bluto’s quote in Animal House at graduation time, “7 years down the drain.”  While many would learn and earn a good living based on Judge Smale’s advice, “the world needs ditch diggers too, Danny.”  Some went the route of hair school, I mean night school, some worked for their families, some got drafted and never came back, and some earned degrees, were successful, and lived the American dream, hopefully their own, too.  No one wants to fail, or even plans to, we all like to succeed, maybe even be #1, but not stepping in #2 as Rodney told us.  But many drew attention to themselves along the way, basked in the spot light no matter how dim, or how small the audience.  Just so they were recognized, made special for that 15 minutes of glory Warhole promised each of us.  No one wanted to bat last, to not be picked for kickball, to ride a small motorcycle.  We wanted recogniton, we were in it for the money, to be admired, but really all we wanted was the power.  Just to be better than you-what it was was pride.
There has never been a new church, or denomination that didn’t think it could do it better.  To not fail where others did.  Works that way in ministry too.  We all want to be big, to change the world, to gain the rewards and be able to boast loudest about what God has done, in us of course, and take a bow for it.  With God of course.  We all wanted to start at the top, and stay there, the best we could hope for was a gentle ride on the way down.  And so God has done some incredible things in my life and my ministry.  Please note, I said “God,” for many times kicking and screaming he has taken me places and blessed me, despite my desires.  There have been moments when the spotlight was on me, and I wanted it, only to be ashamed and humbled because it was Jesus who should have gotten the glory.  I can do nothing without Christ in me.  And one day I started taking God’s advice, “just do what I ask, and nothing else.”  And when I did the blessings grew.  I found out I could do more sitting in the back row, than getting attention up front.  I could lead more effectively from the rear, it wasn’t all about me.  I listened and I grew, and still grow today.  Photo ops are nice, but I rather pass and let someone else have a chance.  Advice given me when asked to speak at a rally one time was wise, even wiser when taken.  I was qualified, but was told “maybe there is another Mike out there just waiting for a chance.”  And there was, and still is, and we both were blessed.  Just by trusting God, and not feeding my ego.  Yet so many live for photo ops, a chance to speak, a chance to be the certain of attention.  And use God as the reason.  Look out I warn, the fall down is farther than you have risen up.
So I have found the best seat in the house of God is where he wants me.  I am happy sitting in the back, letting others get attention, and meeting people in the crowd rather than addressing it.  I get more done when God leads and I follow.  Even Psalms asks, “where were you when I decided where to put the seas and the mountains?”  And your answer is....? In our “it’s all about me world,” of today, the old Rolling Stones tune “Satisfaction” is even more true.  Keith Richards was a prophet?  Amazing where good advice may come from.  But with so many not getting satisfaction from God, they turn away, and their path leads to destruction.  Maybe a quick lesson from the Bible is in order.
The Pharisees were not only religious, but rich and powerful for their day.  Like so many televangelists today.  Before paying their tithe or giving a gift, they summoned trumpeters to announce their arrival, to show what great givers they were, to get them recognized and idolized.  All for the glory of them.  They wanted to make sure no one missed what a humble and benevolent giver they were.  But God wasn’t impressed, he still isn’t today.  Or tomorrow.  God looks at the heart, and sees the motive behind not only giving, but all we do.  So he refers to the poor lady giving all she had, less than two cents.  Remember her next time you want to stick in your two cents, she gave even less, and was blessed even more.  She loved God from her heart, can we say we love him for who he is rather than for what he has done?  Isn’t being God enough to be praised?  Yet she gave all she had, an example Jesus showed us.  If you think you are an equal to Jesus, let me get my 9” nails out, he told us to pick up our cross and follow, not be nailed to it.  It is all about him, not us.  That is why it is called giving, and is not required.  Why we should give with a smile and laugh at what we are doing, wishing we had more.  After all, tithing is only 10%, doesn’t even a lousy waitress get 15%?  So give, by donating more than money.  Serve at church, give of your time.  Mentor a young kid, shuttle old people to where they need to go, do it for God.  If you see something that needs to be done, do it.  And when someone asks, tell them what Jesus is doing in you, let him be your testimony.  When he gets the glory, you get the blessings.  And who couldn’t use more blessings?  And do some things where only your God in heaven sees, no photo ops, anything else you do wanting praise is like the oily rags I have for cleaning up spills in the garage-disposable.  Don’t be like the man who stands up in church and donates $1000-anonymously.  Give when the need arises, go where God leads.  Follow the vision he has given you, and let no one deter you, no church, no ministry steal it.  Let go and let God....yet so many ask “what would Jesus do?”  If you are a Christian, do you really need to ask?
God has never asked us to be successful, only faithful.  Which can be encouraging or discouraging, depending on the situation.  But in every situation, Jesus promises a way out, to bring you closer to him.  For you to be blessed, to give you a hope and  future to encourage others.  When in the hospital I had no control over anything, the doctors and nurses did what they had to do to keep me alive.  The only thing I had control over was my attitude.  How I wish it was more perfect than I remember.  So take the attitude of Christ, lower yourself, and follow him.  It eventually leads to heaven, but you can enjoy all the benefits now.  Just by obeying.  Give up the best seat in the house for a better one right next to Jesus.  Wherever you sit, whatever you do, do it with Christ in mind.  Who gave it all and promises a seat for you in heaven.  At the main table.  Don’t settle for second best.  God only has first class seats for you, the ones he chooses not what you would think.  Why would I want to be President when I can live in his kingdom of heaven forever?  And his service isn’t secret!  So let yours be seen only by him, the best story of the gospel you will ever tell is your actions.  Use words only when necessary.  Anywhere Jesus is is the best seat in the house.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com