Locations & Times

Welcome to Chair Four. 

This is it. The throne. 

Not a plastic highchair. Not a leather driver’s seat. Not even a Captain’s Chair. 

A throne. 

Sounds intense, right? Like something out of “Game of Thrones” or “Braveheart.” But this isn’t about power trips or titles. It’s about divine responsibility. It’s about identity. It’s about authority that comes straight from God’s heart to yours. 

Chair Four is when you finally understand: you’re not the main character... God is. But He’s entrusted you with real influence. Real leadership. Real dominion. 

And now? You’ve been handed the keys to a kingdom. 

So, the question becomes: what kind of king or queen are you going to be? 

God Entrusted You with a Kingdom 

Let that sink in for a second. God has entrusted you with part of His kingdom. 

Your marriage. Your kids. Your influence. Your platform. Your time. Your decisions. Your body. Your money. Your words. 

It’s all territory. 

And God says, “I’m putting you in charge here—not to hoard it, not to abuse it, but to reign and rule in a way that brings freedom to others and reflects My goodness.” 

This is Me for God / God for Me. 

It’s the place where your heart is fully aligned with the Spirit. Where your mind, soul, and strength have matured, connected, and been refined. And now—your heart beats in rhythm with God’s. 

That’s Chair Four. 

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being surrendered. 

And when someone sits in Chair Four with a surrendered heart—everyone in their kingdom feels it. 

The Good King Makes People Feel Safe 

A good king listens to the Spirit. He provides. He protects. He blesses. And most importantly—he doesn’t use the people in his life to build his own castle. 

There’s a powerful line from Braveheart that hits hard here: 

“You nobles think the people exist to provide you with land and wealth. But the truth is, you exist to provide the people with a free country of their own.” 

That’s it. 

Men, husbands, fathers—leaders of any kind—this is your call. 

You don’t exist to be served. You exist to serve. You don’t lead so others can make you feel important. You lead so others feel valued. Your strength isn’t for you. It’s for them. 

Chair Four doesn’t ask, “How much can I get from the people I lead?” 

It asks, “How much freedom can I bring to the people I love?” 

That’s kingdom leadership. That’s godly reign. And it flows from a heart that says, “I am God’s. And all of this? It’s for Him.” 

But Here’s the Question: Who Takes Care of the King? 

Let’s get honest for a minute. 

Chair Four sounds noble. It is noble. But it’s also heavy. 

Because if you’re doing this right—if you’re actually fighting for the freedom of others, carrying the burdens, leading the mission, laying your life down for your people—it will cost you. 

It’s lonely up here. 

You’re the one making the decisions. You’re the one carrying the load. You’re the one everyone comes to when something breaks. 

So who’s taking care of you? 

That’s the Chair Four question. 

And the answer? God is. 

But let’s be real—most of us forget that. We grind. We push. We go longer, stay up later, sacrifice more, pour out endlessly. 

And then we wonder why we’re burned out, bitter, and secretly fantasizing about just quitting it all and starting over on a beach somewhere. 

Hear this: You are not meant to rule your kingdom apart from your King. 

You were never supposed to sit on this throne alone. 

You need to be shepherded. You need to rest. You need moments where you’re not strong. Where you cry. Where you worship. Where you let God be the one who holds you. 

Because you can’t give what you haven’t received. 

And a dry well doesn’t hydrate a village. 

The Throne is Sacred—but Not Safe 

Chair Four is sacred ground. It’s powerful. It’s beautiful. But it’s not easy. 

It’s not about appearances or admiration. It’s not about people thinking you’re wise or holy or in control. 

It’s about being available to God. 

It’s about asking every day: 

• God, what do You want from this kingdom today? 

• Who are You calling me to protect? 

• Who needs to be reminded of freedom? 

• How can I lead in a way that reflects Your heart—not mine? 

And it’s about staying close. Because the only way to lead from the throne without becoming a tyrant or a casualty—is to let God lead you first. 

So Where Are You? 

Are you in Chair Four? 

Do you feel the weight of it? 

Have you started to confuse your throne with God’s? 

Have you stopped letting Him take care of you? 

If so—it’s time to come back. 

Back to the throne room. Back to the Shepherd-King. Back to the One who called you to this seat in the first place. 

Because Chair Four isn’t about having it all together. 

It’s about staying close enough to the King that your kingdom starts to look like His. 

And when that happens—everyone in your world wins. 

 

Let’s talk about Chair Five. 

The Rocking Chair. 

Now, before you check out and assume we’re talking about retirement or shuffleboard or that weird floral chair on your grandma’s porch—slow down. 

This might be the most important chair of all. 

I think it’s the rarest chair in the world right now. 

Not because people don’t get older. We all do. But not many people grow into this kind of maturity. 

Chair Five isn’t about age...it’s about presence. 

It’s about wisdom. It’s about legacy. It’s about Me with God, and Me beside you. 

This is the seat of the sage. 

Sit Down. I’ll Listen. 

Picture it. 

Two chairs. 

One for you. One for them. 

And you’re not standing at a podium. You’re not barking orders from a throne. You’re not in the driver’s seat gunning the engine. 

You’re just with. 

With God. With them. With whoever God’s brought into your life that needs your voice, your attention, your story. 

This is the chair where the warriors come to rest. 

Where the captains come for clarity. 

Where the kings come for counsel. 

Chair Five says: “Pull up a seat. I’ve got time. I’ve got stories. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve seen God come through. Let’s talk.” 

And I’m telling you, this is the chair our world is starving for. 

Mentors, Not Influencers 

In a culture obsessed with platforms and followers and blue checkmarks, Chair Five doesn’t care about any of that. 

Chair Five cares about you. 

It doesn’t preach at you. It walks with you. It asks questions. It offers wisdom. It’s not quick to give advice—but when it does, it’s earned. 

And listen...this chair will always include a second chair. 

Because this kind of maturity isn’t just for you. 

It’s for the ones coming behind you. It’s for your son. Your daughter. Your neighbor. That younger guy at work. That single mom at your church. That teenage kid who needs someone to say, “I believe in you.” 

You don’t need a seminary degree to sit in this chair. 

You just need a walk with God. 

You need scars that have turned into stories. 

You need love that doesn’t flinch when someone’s a mess. 

You need a heart that says: “I’ve been where you are—and I’m not going anywhere.” 

Who’s Your Neighbor? 

Remember when Jesus said the greatest command was to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? 

Then He said the second is just like it. 

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

So who’s your neighbor? 

In Chair Five, it’s everyone to the right. 

The ones still in the high chair, throwing tantrums. 

The ones in the driver’s seat, wrestling with authority. 

The ones in the captain’s chair, building their life and trying not to lose their soul. 

The ones in the throne room, trying to lead a kingdom with a heart that stays soft. 

Your job in Chair Five is to love them. 

Listen to them. 

Pray for them. 

Challenge them when they’re drifting. 

And remind them who they are...especially when they’ve forgotten. 

A Word to the Ladies 

Ladies, listen to me here: use every ounce of influence you’ve got to make sure the men in your life are in this room for the next two weeks. 

If you’re married...nudge him. Bribe him. Pray for him. Lock the doors if you have to. 

If you’re dating some dude who’s not interested in learning to be a man of God—dump his butt. Seriously. Don’t waste time hoping he’ll grow up someday. Chair Five is not for boys who refuse to leave Chair One. 

If I wouldn’t trust him with my daughter or my truck, he shouldn’t be driving your heart. 

And dads? Text your daughter’s boyfriend. 

Tell him, “I saved you a seat next to me. See you next Sunday.” 

For the Men 

Men, this is it. 

This is the seat your family needs you to get to. 

This isn’t about pretending you’ve got it all figured out. It’s about showing up. Being available. Learning to sit with God, so you can sit with others. 

Let me give you a homework assignment. 

Be here. 

Both of the next two weeks. 

Not because the coffee’s good or the music’s loud—but because the people who love you are watching. Your sons are learning how to be men by watching you. Your daughters are learning what to expect from men by watching you. Your wife is praying that you’ll show up. 

Not just physically. 

But spiritually. 

Emotionally. 

Relationally. 

Chair Five doesn’t happen by accident. 

It happens when you decide: I’m doing everything I can to become the man, husband, and father they deserve. 

So Where Are You Sitting? 

The Rocking Chair is not the end of the road. It’s not retirement. It’s not stepping out of the fight. 

It’s stepping into your most important role yet. 

A man or woman of God… who knows how to be still. 

Who knows how to love well. 

Who’s done chasing significance…because they’ve already found it in Jesus. 

And now, they’re giving it away...one conversation, one story, one rocking chair at a time. 

 

If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.