Come up Higher

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11

Today we had a service of celebration for a woman who died a year ago. Ronnie was a wife, mother, grandmother and faithful woman throughout her life. She found humor in the most frustrating of situations and joy in the most challenging. She raised five wonderful children and made each one of them feel special. She served her church and community with enthusiasm and grace and changed the world through her humble living. She changed lives by her loved, and many of those she touched came together today. I was privileged to be in their midst.

Jesus tells a parable about a wedding banquet. How God's kingdom is a wedding banquet, a celebration, a gathering of the family to give thanks for life and each other. Sometimes we ache to be special and run to take a special place, but God knows our need and will honor our willingness to be part of the celebration. God honors us just for showing up and for celebrating the love that we share.

This fall Saturday, as the light get short and the year begins to roll, I ask God to help me find my place everyday. To give me strength and perspective to serve my family and my people with humility, so that God's love might shine through my actions and my life. May we all take our place at the celebration knowing God will honor us all with love abundant.