“The Low Seat!”

“The Low Seat!”(Prv.25:6-7).
“Do not exalt yourself in the King’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say, ‘Come up here,’ than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.”
I learned a lesson a long time ago that as you enter someone’s sitting room, make a quick study to locate the house owner’s chair. Most often, it is the chair close to the door that goes into the rooms. People with strong personalities leave their aura on their seats. Spiritually discerning hearts are able to see the aura with the eyes of their hearts, and they can feel its presence.
When you enter a house, don’t just rush to take a seat because it attracts your fancy. It is always good to allow your host to show you where to sit.
It is foolish pride that gives you a claim of importance simply because you have the opportunity to be in the presence of the king.
Socrates, the great Greek philosopher said, “Man know thyself.” This has become an important maxim to most philosophers. Someone has explained that “the true self, for Socrates, is one that is lived in accordance with knowledge, wisdom, and virtue. The true self is the virtuous self.”
We can add that to be alert in humbling yourself before a king and taking a lowly place among great men is an acknowledgement that you know thyself.
I personally know these things and have lived it quite so often. On the day Rev Che Wara Solomon was dedicating the Mountain Top Cathedral, I came a little late. The service was on. I introduced myself to an usher outside. He led us in and asked another usher to show us where to sit. She took us to available empty seats. As we sat there, one of his pastors saw and recognised me. He went and told Rev. Wara. Rev Wara came to me and led me to an empty seat next to the Governor of the region. The Reverend then led my wife to sit near his own wife. We could have sat anywhere all through the Service, and it wouldn’t have changed who I am. If I was a braggart, I would have scolded the usher who showed us lowly seats.
“Know thyself” also means taking a lowly seat but knowing that at the right time, you’ll be called up to a high seat. A time comes when the king says, “Come up here.” Jesus elaborates on this better. “…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”(Lk.14:7-11).
Dear friend, humility should not be taken for cowardice. And do not parade cowardice as humility. The humble stoops to conquer!
Humility was the hallmark of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He stooped, and he conquered!
May we never want to be above our Master!
Prayer of the day and week: Holy Spirit imbibe in us the spirit of humility as we win souls for the kingdom of God. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
17/02/2025.