That is the question.
Do you have your regular pew or seat at church on Sunday mornings?
Is it right or wrong to sit in the same seat week after week?
Let’s talk.
Growing up we were always the family late to church. So, we sat in whichever pew was available in the back of the church or up in the balcony if the house was especially packed that morning so as not to be caught arriving late or disrupt the mass that had already begun. I didn’t like being late, even at a young age. I remember one particular summer as a teen actually riding my bike to church as many weeks as I could, just so I could be early. I liked being there early. I am very social and liked to visit with everyone before mass started and when I was early I got to sit with grandma, I liked to sit with my grandma. This was something I didn’t get to do when we arrived late, because grandma sat in the middle pew on the left-hand side of the church, the aisle seat.
Guess where I now sit in church?
The middle pew, on the left-hand side, the aisle seat. Now many, many things are very different for me at church, but not my preferred seating. After Sunday School I buzz by everyone as quickly as possible so I can put my purse and church bag (we’ll talk about this later) in “my seat” to reserve it for myself and my family. I then feel safe to go and socialize, resting assured in the knowledge that I will get to “sit with grandma”, so to speak.
But what blessings could I be missing in that beeline to reserve my seat!?
Was there someone that needed me?
Was there someone that just needed to talk or just needed a hug or needed to feel loved and God had prepared me to help them but I couldn’t stop for just a moment? Or what if there was someone I needed? Someone God had prepared with just what I needed and I missed the blessing? As we discussed last week someone needs me. Someone needs you. If we get locked into our comfort zone can we be effective?
Now don’t get me wrong I am not going to jump over to the right-hand side of the church next week because, honestly, I get all discombobulated over there. This will be a challenge for me as well, but as Paul said in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (NIV) Speaking of Paul could we think of anyone who gave us a better model for this than Paul? I mean prison, hello! Do you think he was worried about his regular pew in there? And I can’t even sit on the other side of the church? Oh boy, I’ve got a long way to go, dear reader. So, let’s start this week to find some practical ways to get out of our comfort zone for Christ because the thing I’m most thankful for is that Jesus did not stay in His comfort zone.
So I know we’re in this together, tell me, do you have a regular seat?
Do you have a regular church?
Do you think it’s right or wrong to sit in the same seat week after week or would we be more effective if we were to mix it up?
Please let me know what you think below.
And if you don’t have a regular seat, I invite you to join us at Wolcott Christian Church for Sunday worship, if you can’t find a seat, I’ll give you mine.
Love,
Katie