Psalms 139:1-5 (NASB) ‘O Lord , You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord , You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. ‘
There’s a movie from the 90s, starring John Travolta, titled Phenomenon. I won’t go into the plot of the movie here today, but I would recommend watching it if you haven’t seen it already. Instead, I’m going to focus on a specific scene. There’s a group of George’s (Travolta’s character) friends sitting in a bar. They are discussing him, running him down. George’s friend, Doc, played by Robert Duvall is sitting there listening until he’s had enough and decides to speak in George’s defense. There is a specific part in his dialogue I would like to focus on for the sake of this writing. Doc says, “Now George, has a love by his side and she’s sticking with him. You know why? Cuz he bought her chairs… that’s pretty smart to me. You ever buy Lisa’s chairs? Every woman has her chairs… something she needs to put herself into, Banes. You ever figure out what Lisa’s chairs were and buy them? Nope…”
In this life, for the most part, we have a choice who we spend our time with, give our energies to, who we love and allow to love us in return. In this scene, the analogy painted by Doc I believe is so incredibly on point. When I think about it in the context of my own life, I think about all the relationships I have chosen to be a part of and how this might apply. You see, as I think on it, the relationships that have been nearest and dearest to me have been the ones in which we “bought each other’s chairs”. I have very dear friends that I have known and loved for the better part of my life and can’t imagine, for a moment, doing life without them in it. I “bought their chairs”, and they “bought” mine. They know me. They know what I’m passionate about, what my bents are. They encourage, support and come along with, figuratively if not literally. I seek them out for those reasons and they seek my company, I believe for the same. Conversely, the demise of relationships in my life, I believe, is largely due to the failure of one or both of us “buying the other’s chairs”.
So, I ask you… is there a relationship that is important to you and experiencing trouble or lack of connection? Is there a new relationship, friendship or romantic, in your life that you would see flourish? Then ask yourself, “have I bought their chairs”? Now I don’t propose that this is the end all be all, key principle in a long lasting, sustainable relationship. I will very plainly state, however, I believe it to be a crucial principle. Do you really know that person? Have you invested in them? What’s their “chairs”? What’s your “chairs” and have you made it known to them? Have they bought them?
We have a Lord and Savior in Jesus Christ. He knows you, He loves you and He buys your “chairs” every moment of every day. We are called to reflect Jesus to the world around us and I believe part of that is “buying each other’s chairs”. Have a blessed weekend.
Psalms 139:16-18’Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. ‘
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
