A Good Seat

Think about places we have gone and what we have done to arrive early to get a good seat or a good place in line. We head out early to get a good buy at a local store, a good seat at the movies or in a restaurant. We share these things with others and encourage them to go as well.

Matthew 8:11-12 “And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

We feel like going to these places are so important we were willing to put everything else aside to do them. We plan ahead. We schedule time on our calendar. We put off other things we need to do. We do whatever it takes.

What about God? Are we willing to put everything else off so we can get a good seat in Heaven? Are we willing to put everything off and rearrange our schedule so we can read His word? Are will willing to get up earlier so we can talk with Him? Are we disciplined enough to make time in our day to pray?

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.”

What about church? Are we eagerly wanting to spend time with our fellow Christians and learn more about what God is doing in their lives? Do we put aside everything so we can spend time at church with fellow believers who we can share our lives with and grow stronger in Christ? Do we get going early so we can fellowship with one another?

1 John 1:7 “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

What about witnessing? Do we look for opportunities and take time to schedule meeting new people and tell them about God? Do we plan ahead to go and make disciples by putting everything else aside? What actions are we taking to ensure we are telling others about God daily?

Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

It’s time we asked ourselves what we are doing to prepare for our seat at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. Yes, we have been saved by the blood of Jesus, but are we planning on bringing others with us or do we choose to go alone and hope to see our friends and family there? It’s time we obey God and prepare anxiously for our seats in Heaven.

Next time we find ourselves hurrying to get a good seat or place in line, we need to think about how important it really is. We need to determine if what we are anxious to do is for our own desires or for the will of God. We need to make opportunities to witness and to serve others. When we put aside our own desires and look for these opportunities, we will make a difference.

1 Peter 4:2 “You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.”