A Collect for Contentment with Status

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:8-11 (ESV) Exalted God, who took the lowest place, your heart is not swayed by the lure of status, nor by the status of your creatures, may we likewise not seek status for its own sake, but to love others well regardless of our status, to neither seek honor nor humility for ourselves, but to be content with our place, trusting in your love and care for us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who, empowered by the Spirit, returned to the right hand of the Father, and now reigns with them as one God, now and forever. Amen. #Contentment #Status #Pride #Humility #Honor