Choose your seat and sit down!

When you get to a random space where you can sit anywhere, you don’t have to be keen to locate a specific seat. You can sit anywhere, anytime. And if someone is using that preferred space, you’d better secure an alternative space or stand by if you can’t find another.

However, things do not always work like that. Some circumstances are defined, and in this case, you must choose your seat and sit down.   

To understand this vital lesson, here is a powerful analogy, scriptural insights and real-life application.

We’ll cover:

1. Two Forcible Analogies
2. Life Application and Reflection
3. In the Lenses of the Kingdom
4. Key Takeaway: There is a Designated Seat for You

Two Forcible Analogies

The Public Service Vehicles

If you get on a bus and find all the seats empty, you must choose wisely. The driver and the tout have their predefined seats. No other person is allowed to use these seats. If you get into a public service vehicle, choose your seat and sit down.

Graduation Square

This also happens in a graduation square. Every graduand has their specific seat with their credentials stated, and no one other than them can use that specific seat. So when you get to a graduation square, you must choose your seat and sit down. 

Life Application and Reflection

Reflecting on this, I realised that even life has an order and a particular space for everyone. People waste their time occupying spaces not meant for them, and they waste the most precious wealth they can ever get—talent and time.

When you occupy the wrong position in life, you create two costly problems.

The first problem is that you prevent someone from occupying the space designated for them, from which they could be a blessing to humanity.

Secondly, you leave your space unoccupied and attract the wrong people who have not been wired to get the best out of that space. 

We can only be a blessing to the world, to the church, and to society by occupying the suitable space that God designed for us. We must discover our spiritual gifts, and after finding them, we must refuse to let anything interfere with our commitment to find our shape within the particular area that God has secured for us. 

In the Lenses of the Kingdom

This is how the Kingdom is being compared:

"For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch" (Mark 13:34, KJV). 

In the house of God, everyone has their stated assignment, and no one is excused who neglects their assignment to do someone else’s assignment.

There is no harm in exploring a few things that we can do for the kingdom, but that should only happen after we have handled our assignment well. If you consider Christ’s message as recorded by Luke, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13), you will realize you won’t have time to meddle in other people’s work. 

When you find your seat, sit down and occupy it till the master returns.

You occupy your seat in service and duty. You occupy your seat with commitment and consistency. Do not, by your behaviour and attitude, suggest that your seat is unoccupied and that anyone can step in and do what God has not called them to do.

Remain dutiful and help everyone who is yet to locate their ‘seats’ continue searching till they find it. Don’t confuse people that your seat is empty and needs to be occupied. 

Key Takeaway: There is a Designated Seat for You

While our efforts anywhere will contribute to the everlasting kingdom’s interest and our temporal well-being, our very best is only assured in our designated posts. The path to self-discovery is the space where most people have problems and the space we need to listen to God more and more. As you pray for all the things you need in life, pray for divine guidance and an eye-opener to help you locate your seat. 

To every man is given “his work” (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in the greatest good to himself and his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.  —Education p. 138

Choose your seat and sit down!