In our kitchen, we have a round table with chairs for four people. The two youngest granddaughters, Liza and Lottie, always want to sit beside Wayne when they are eating, but there is usually a problem. It seems they both want to sit in the same chair. Now mind you both of the chairs on either side of Wayne would qualify as “sitting beside Buddy,” but they want the same specific chair. This becomes a problem, and usually a problem that involves tears.
For some reason they can’t understand that they both can sit beside him but just not in the same chair. They are getting all upset over something that really doesn’t matter. They both have a seat at the table. They both are seated beside who they want to sit beside. That should be all that matters. One of them usually gives up the right to sit in the chair they want to sit in so it ends up being okay, but it just takes a bit to get to that step.
It made me think about how many things in my life I make a big deal out of when it really doesn’t matter. First of all, I can allow fear to make things matter that shouldn’t. When I give myself permission to focus on the fear I can become consumed quite easily. I allow myself to think of worst-case scenarios. In my mind, I feed the fear.
I should focus on my faith instead of that fear. Ultimately, God is where my focus should be because what really matters is what I am focusing on. I have to immediately put my eyes on God because what matters is Him. He is the only one who can calm my fears. I can fight my fears with my faith. Knowing God and having faith in Him is what really matters.
Another way I can become distracted is by being concerned about what other people think. Maybe you don’t struggle with this but I have to say I do. I can second guess myself on what I said to another person wondering if I hurt their feelings, said it too harshly, or was misunderstood. I can have an opinion on something but not voice it because I wouldn’t want to say something I shouldn’t or offend someone.
I have to be honest and say I am nonconfrontational and I want others to like me, however, I can’t live my life trying to please everyone else. All this does is just drain me of my joy and my peace. In Proverbs 29:25 the Bible says “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe.”
What others think really doesn’t matter. I must block out the noise and only hear and believe the truth of what God says about me. I must turn away from even what I might internally say about myself. What I must do is hear the voice of God. He loves me, I am His child, He accepts me, He forgives me, He chose me and His opinion of me is what matters.
When it comes right down to it my relationship with God is what really matters. If that matters most in my life all the other things just fall into place. My fear is taken care of along with my insecurities.
At times it seems our world is out of touch with what and who should really matter. In reality, we, as believers in Christ, should be the reminders to the world of what really matters.
Loving your neighbor as yourself is what matters. Having a strong faith in God is what really matters. Never losing hope in the promises of God is what really matters. God is what really matters.
My granddaughters will probably continue to have issues with the chair they sit in. My prayer is they will soon realize that doesn’t really matter. With that I pray they will learn the seat you sit in at the table really doesn’t matter. It’s whose table you sit at that matters. God sets a table for us and He wants us to join Him. God’s table is where He dwells with us and provides for us.
I want them to have a seat at God’s table. It’s a table big enough for everyone to pull up a chair. It’s not who you sit beside at the table but it is making sure you are sitting at the right table. God’s table is where I want to sit and He is who I want to be with. What about you?
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
