At the Head of the Table

At the Head of the Table

Sometimes, the greatest gift you can give someone is not a position—it is the opportunity to see themselves differently.

When you treat people like kings and queens, they may begin to carry themselves like royalty. It doesn’t always happen, especially when people have never seen themselves that way. But sometimes, someone simply needs another person to see what they cannot yet see in themselves.

Scripture

“Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the great hall and placed them at the head of the table, honoring them above the thirty special guests.”(1 Samuel 9:22 NLT)

Explanation
God had already told Samuel something about Saul that Saul himself did not know. Saul saw himself as an ordinary Benjaminite from an insignificant family. Samuel, however, was seeing something bigger.

So Samuel didn’t merely tell Saul who he could become—he treated him accordingly.

He brought Saul into a gathering of important people and gave him the seat of honour. Saul must have wondered, “Why are you treating me like this?”

Samuel was helping Saul see what God had already seen in him.

Application
We need people who can see beyond the now.

Parents should be able to see tomorrow in today’s children. Teachers should see potential in their learners. Leaders should see kings in those still learning how to lead. Mentors should see possibilities in people who can only see limitations.

God did the same for us. While we were still sinners, Christ saw enough worth in us to go to the cross for us.

You are not defined only by where you are today. There is more in you than your present circumstances reveal.

God will not only prepare a table for you; He can also place you at the head of the table.

Reflection
Who are you treating according to their past when you should be responding to their potential?

And whose potential might God be asking you to recognise today?

Prayer
Lord, give me eyes to see what You see in people. Help me to encourage, honour and position others for the greatness You have placed within them. And help me to believe that You see more in me than I sometimes see in myself. Amen.

Discussion Question
Who has helped you see something valuable in yourself that you could not see at the time?

Have a fruitful day.

(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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