That Empty Place

But the next day, David’s place was empty again. 1 Samuel 20:27

There are many reasons for that empty chair. Sometimes there is a sadness to the thought that a once occupied place is now empty, and the memory of the loved one who once sat there. At other times it’s because the usual occupant is busy, or maybe unwell. In the text, the chair was empty because David needed to know if his best friend Jonathan’s dad King Saul, still wanted to kill him. David wanted, and needed, to know if he was missed. After all, he was just one of many who were at King Saul’s table. The answer to that question meant a lot to David, and his survival!

David’s chair at the table was empty twice, and it was noticed. David’s presence was good and most folks missed him, but King Saul paid attention because his heart was dark with evil, murderous thoughts. No wonder then that David wanted, no needed, to be sure where he stood in the King’s court.

Do you notice when someone is missing from their regular place? If a particular place is regularly occupied, it is almost impossible not to notice, but the key is what we do about it. We may decide to ignore the empty chair, and hope the occupant will come back soon. What about giving some thought to phoning them, just to ask how they are doing? If that is too hard, how about sending a card through the mail? Don’t have a stamp? In this digital age, you can send an email, or get in touch informally by one of the social media platforms. Most of us are digitally aware, after all you are reading this online!

So, next time you see an empty chair in church, do something about it. Don’t leave it to the pastor, after all he IS the one person who might just be too busy!

Missing, Presumed What?

It’s not very scientific or a mathematical equation, but it does carry some weight. Church is a body of caring believers who are real friends. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”, so we know this is important.

The real question is, how should we show it? The church body is made up of family members, friends we know well, and some we are slowly getting to know better. We are all on a journey of learning and faith, and therefore not all the same. There are extroverts and introverts, talkative and quiet, and those on the way for a short or long time. We do not all react to the same things in the same way, but we are all affected by a hurt or missing member of the body. Or we should be!

The temperature can be measured by how many out of this different group of people will not only realise you are missing from church, but essentially those who will take the time to let you know you were missed. It doesn’t mean half as much to be told the following week when you enter the church again. That’s easy and takes no effort or forethought. When you love someone, I mean really love them like your wife or child, you leave no doubt that you care enough to see that they are doing ok. It doesn’t matter if they are ill, or away for the day, after all you don’t know until you make that call.

It means a lot to know you have been missed, and for that message to come to you before the week is over, and next Sunday morning comes around. Equally, and perhaps even more so, it sends an opposite message when silence reigns and you are left with the question, who loves enough as a disciple to care? Here’s another thought. A cold body is usually a dying or dead body. What a sobering thought!