The Front Seat - The Christian Online Magazine

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Teaching sixth-graders in Sunday school class is always a challenge. When it comes to worksheets, boys seem to slowly withdraw from the class. Girls on the other hand are eager to look up the scriptures and fill in the blanks. Trying to find extra material for the sixth grade Sunday school class that I work with. I came across a story of a boy who missed out on a trip to the zoo all because he insisted on riding in the front seat.

After finishing the story almost all hands were raised. Everyone had a story about how their mom made them share the front seat. One quite little girl told how she sneaked into the front seat to surprise her brother. You could almost see the fire in her eyes as she described her brother’s disappointment when he found out that the front seat had already been taken.. The story hit a nerve. When you are eleven or twelve years old the front seat is a big deal.

It is not just children who like the front seat, adults also like the front seat. In the gospel of Mark, James and John asked if they could set next to Christ in the kingdom. They wanted the front seat. Jesus patiently explained that the seats next to his throne had already been given to someone else. James and John were ready to rule with Christ but they were not prepared to suffer with him. When Jesus was dying on the cross they did not want to be next to him then.

Sometimes in our spiritual walk we try to edge into the front seat. When we first become Christians we gladly quote Philippines 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." We are happy with our new life in Christ. Then after awhile we begin to look at the last part of the verse.

The "strengthens me" part is troubling to us. After all it implies that we need strengthening. In other words we are weak. We think maybe Christians that don’t go to church or read their Bibles need strengthening but not us. So in our own way we cut out the last part of the verse.

I can do all things through Christ. That sounds better, Batman and Robin together again fighting the forces of evil! Then after awhile Satan tells us, "We are really the one that is doing all of the fighting. After all we do the praying, giving, and work. Besides there is no need to beat people over the head about being a Christian."

If we listen to Satan’s advice, the verse becomes "I can do all things." Before long we realize that faith without Christ is nothing. Instead of Batman and Robin we discover it’s a potter and clay relationship. We learn the importance of the whole verse, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Without Christ we are nothing.

If we give up the front seat we find peace. If we worry about who is dong what or where we are going we will always be unhappy. However if we focus on the one who is leading us we will be content. The apostle Paul could be content because he depended on Christ. When we make the connection between contentment and Christ we will save ourselves a lot of trouble. We will also find our spiritual journey more enjoyable.