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There is something about sitting
in the front seat of a vehicle! I am not sure I understand all of the dynamics
involved but more often than not, a trip to town with more than one teenager results
in a competition for the prized "shotgun" position. I don't know if
they think they can do something about a potential accident or if the seat is
honestly more comfortable. One thing for sure, the struggle for that seat can
turn nearly mature teens into fighting 3-year-olds.
Wanting to be first has been around for a
long time. It is often the motivation for political and business advancement.
The church also wrestles
with this kind of motivation. Even in the early church there were struggles.
John tells of Diotrephes
"who loves to be first among them" (verse
9b). What may have been some of
John's last recorded words to these people had to be
words of personal rebuke to a spiritual 3-year-old.
Do you ever find yourself struggling
for the "front seat" because of pride, a desire for power or
to be first? True Holy Spirit
inspired humility demands otherwise.
Be careful when the Lord allows you to
have a shot at a little limelight that you carefully let the Holy Spirit
probe your motives. Take
time when you are moving up in ministry leadership to avoid acting like
a spiritual 3-year-old.
You don't want to be a Diotrephes!
All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise
noted.
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~ Front
Seat 
