Seats of glory

You know I love you both like brothers,

but I’m embarrassed,

and you should be too.

You don’t get it; you haven’t been listening.

If it was up to me you could have them,

but it’s not that simple

and the others might object.

The seat on my left and the one on my right,

they’re not mine to grant,

because they belong to everybody

and no-one.

There will be no worldly kingdom,

because it doesn’t work like that;

and there will be no heavenly kingdom, either,

because a paradise among the clouds

is just as irrelevant, and disquieting,

as one amid earth’s dust.

There will be no seats of glory;

not for me, not for anyone.

There are no seats, only places,

and they have little to do with glory

and much more to do with serving

and giving and suffering

and living and dying and making peace.

Places for standing and moving,

not seats for sitting and presiding;

places for gathering and for sharing together.

Places for being a servant,

not reserved for the best, or the greatest.

Places for everyone

who is willing to drink the cup

and to immerse themselves

in prickly water-spirit baptised life.

Places for disciples; followers

who allow themselves to be raised

above all the fears and the worries.

Places of connection, with the Spirit,

building justice, love and grace,

into kingdom and community.

© Ken Rookes 2012