The Two Chairs

A youth pastor once stood before a group of students with two chairs. He placed one on the far left side of the stage and the other on the far right.

He said, “Let’s imagine this chair represents loyalty to God — trusting Him, following His ways, surrendering your heart. And this chair over here represents the world — following your own way, doing what feels good, being your own boss.”

Then, he stood in the middle of the stage and placed a third chair — directly between the other two. “And this,” he said, “is where most people try to live — one foot in God’s kingdom, one foot in the world. It’s the compromise chair.”

Then he sat in the middle chair and stretched one arm out to each side. At first, it looked manageable. But after a while, you could see the strain in his arms. The crowd watched as his body started to shift uncomfortably. His muscles tensed. His balance wobbled. Eventually, he couldn’t hold it anymore, and he had to choose one side.

He stood up and said, “Trying to live in both worlds will tear you apart. Sooner or later, you have to choose a chair.”

Tie-in to Your Message

This illustration captures the essence of Psalm 119:113, “I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions” (NLT). Obeying God’s law begins with a decisive choice — not comfort, not convenience — but commitment. The “middle chair” is unstable. The “double-minded” life is unsustainable. We all need a starting point, a line in the sand, where we say: Today, I choose to love and obey God’s law.