There are lots and lots of chairs in the world. I bet you don't think too much about the chairs in your life. You're probably sitting in one right now, maybe a corner of your living room sofa, a seat on a bus, or an ergonomic office chair. You might be resting on that kitchen stool with the wonky leg that you keep meaning to fix.
I wonder what kind of chair you sit in on Sunday morning. Your Barcalounger? A hard, wooden pew? Me, I sit on a plain, metal folding chair in a row of equally unassuming folding chairs, in a room full of them. Each week a group of ordinary people transform an old basketball gym into a place of worship by setting up multitudes of chairs. Chairs for worshippers. Chairs for coffee drinkers, Chairs for sound and light experts. Lots and lots of chairs.
And they are humble, these chairs.
But their purpose is lofty. These chairs fill up each Sunday with people I love. I see them. Heads bowed in prayer, or arms raised in praise. Eyes fixed on the preacher, attention focused. I'm so thankful for the people who fill them. Each Sunday morning, near the end of worship I slip out of my own chair and move to the back of our sanctuary to position myself near the door to greet folks as they leave. Yesterday, standing at the back, singing the final song, I had a moment of real wonder. As we lifted our voices, I found myself looking around and noticing.
All those filled chairs.
I saw those who've been with us from the beginning. Friends who Chad and I have worshipped side by side with for years, some who drive right past the Chippewa campus to get to Moon. They do it because they love Jesus and they are wholly committed to serving Him where ever He calls, however He chooses. They are chair placers, diaper changers, visitor welcomers, coffee servers, lighting specialists. Kingdom builders. These familiar faces, fill me up week in and week out. These are the faces I count on seeing, the ones that made me feel home, right from the start. They don't care whether they praise Jesus in a comfy worship center, a hotel ballroom, or a dusty gym filled with folding chairs. They're there, and they're all in.
There are chairs who bear those newer to our ministry. Some who came to us by accident almost, who saw a random sign on the road. Some who were invited by others. They came, they looked around, no doubt wondering where the preacher was and what the heck was that big screen doing on the stage. Some are military families who have moved here from other states. Some are those who had never really been to church before. Some were brand new in their faith, and dying for discipleship. Desperate to know what it means to live for Jesus. Some have been baptized in our horse trough, testifying to new life, splashing water all over. Grinning from ear to ear.
And so they come and fill our chairs. They listen, they find places to serve, help out. Many have folded up a chair or two at the end of worship. And I love them for it. I am so humbled to know them. To get to hold their babies, eat meals together, raise our hands in worship. To share life.
Then there are the new faces. The ones who are brand new, first timers. They often show up a little late, they gravitate toward chairs at the back, hoping to slip in and out without a fuss. But I see them. I say hello, shake a hand. Smile and tell them they are welcome. They're usually the first out of their chairs, bolting for the door before they have to talk to anyone. Skittish. But many of them return. To sit again in our simple folding chairs, to become part of our fellowship.
There are moments when I get lost in the details. Faulty cables, the long drive, the sometimes icy roads or hot and humid building. So many chairs to set up and take down each week. Days when I miss the ease of Chippewa, seeing my old friends, the simple luxury of soft chairs that never have to be moved. But then my eyes are opened. To really see. That in loving my people, I'm loving Him. That in the simple act of unfolding of chairs each week, we are serving Him together. Preparing a place for His people.
We pick up our chairs and follow Him.
What chair do you fill on Sundays?
{alison}