Table courtesy

Luke 14 : 7 - 11

.......when you are invited, take the lowest place...

I was struggling all week about a dinner yesterday. It would not be anywhere near a 'banquet' but merely a dinner fellowship followed by business meeting at church! Why so much difficulty? It seems ridiculous but the truth is, perhaps I was not humble enough to attend. I knew what the discussion would focus on. I had talked about these issues before, even clarified with the leaders the church's mission statement. And I did feel that I had nothing further to add. Moreover, the conversations at business meetings over the past year have been revolving around the same issues, going back and forth over old ground. I told myself that I am tired out with all this talk and could spend my Saturday night catching up on something more interesting.

Well, at banquets we are to take the lowest place. I guess that means attending but remaining silent if need be, glad even to have nothing more to say.

I did attend the meeting and it was a bit lengthy - ended just past 11 pm. I must admit that church issues however irritating can be sandpaper for sanctification; in this case bringing forth the humility of soul needed by all disciples. I have much more to learn, because I know very well that deep within I was not completely patient through the whole lengthy proceedings. But it was a lesson in humility that could not be learnt in any other way. "For everyone who makes himself great will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be made great."