Church Pew Seating....

I honestly didn’t think I was a “assigned seating” kind of person. I’ve never felt the urge to set my claim on a particular seat at church. Basically, I sit where I can see the best based on what is available when I get there. But in Zumba class, I just discovered……….I’m an assigned seating person!  Who would have known I had it in me!

Every day since I started Zumba, I’ve stood in the same place. The same girl to the front of me, two rows to the left behind the instructor, same girl to the left of me, and same girl diagonal both ways. I didn’t realize how comfortable I had gotten with the perfect peripheral view I was getting!

I came late one day and SOMEONE WAS IN MY SPOT! :O Can you believe that?? LOL. At first I considered cramming my way in and hopefully they would get too uncomfortable and move!  But that didn’t seem quite like good behavior so I said good bye to my friends and I went to the back row…

I don’t like the back row, it’s squished back there! My friend in front of me reminded me that it’s like your seat at church, you don’t want anyone to claim it, it’s yours! We had a good chuckle about that and then the girl who had my spot said “I’m new, I didn’t know it was your spot, I’ll move if you want me to”….well bless her heart!  Man, did I feel stupid then! I assured her this spot was fine, it wasn’t. Then I moved down a little bit to an open area, which was crammed too, elbows in the face and all!

But then……..I see……….from across the room…….an open spot… right there in the front left corner, no one there…..perfectly good space going to waste…….next break, I hop on over there!

Ahhhhhh, that feels good! I can stretch, dance, turn, no elbows hitting me, no one stepping on my toes, THIS IS FREEDOM!!!! …………wait a minute……..I’m in the front row……….awe, who cares! I’m free!

So I’m thinking. How often do we get stuck in our comfort zone? Are you an “assigned seating” person? How about hopping around your seating a little bit, try some new groups, meet some new people, ….. change your perspective……..don’t be scared to put yourself out there, even if you’re in the front row…..there is freedom in vulnerability.

Galatians 5:1 NIV
Galatians 5:13 NIV