People who are sitting comfortably are happy to speak up. From their seats they shout, “We’ve always done it this way.” “Why can’t they see?” “Whatever happened to?” “They just need to!” And they often land on, “How come I can’t get any respect?” Comfort breeds inertia. And to these, it may feel very much like steadfastness or tradition. Which has its place …. as long as we are willing to give up our seat.

I am grateful to have people in my life, including my pastor, who discomfort me. Because discomfort causes me to squirm. Squirming leads to wriggling. Wriggling leads to getting up to check if there is something wrong with my chair. And from standing I can look around – even move around – to work the room and get to know who’s there. After all, from the comfort of my seat I can only receive those who seek me out, but from standing I can seek out others. I can get to know how they feel, what they’ve been through, what they know and who they are.

Then when we’re called to order, I take a new seat. One which has been vacated by someone else or, if there are not enough seats, I will be happy to stand. When a seat comes open I can take it and get to know my new neighbors. Maybe they have seen me standing and have waved me over. Those are people I want to get to know. People who are willing to give up the empty seat next to them, even put their things on the floor, so someone can sit there. Just love those people. I hope to be those people.

But for now my objective is not to become so settled in my seat that I don’t notice when it’s time to move. I’m not looking to leap into the expensive seats, nor am I eyeing the podium. Just, maybe, to perch on the edge. Back straight, abs tight, shoulders back, feet on the floor. It’s funny how ‘ready position’ works for any situation. Balanced, expectant, looking and listening. There’s something good ahead. I just know it.