Shotgun or Servanthood

I thought the wars over riding shotgun–the front passenger seat–would end when my boys exited elementary school.

Unfortunately, no. My boys are now 13, 17 and 18 years old. One is old enough to vote and be tried as an adult. But still the battle over who gets to sit in the front seat of my too-old truck continue. Yes, even this morning.

Why is calling shotgun important? Why is sitting up front for a drive that won’t last more than 7 or 8 minutes matter so much? Is it really worth all the arguing and manipulation to secure the seat on my right?

It reminds me of two brothers and a mother determined to snag a throne on either side of a kingly Christ. When the other disciples weren’t looking, mama and her boys approached Jesus with a proposition: “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21)

In the face of Salvation, they worried about position.

Of course, we do the same when we invest in a friendship because of who she knows. Or when we manipulate a meeting because of the connections it might provide. Or when we dive into a ministry because of the status we’re seeking or the recognition we crave. We may not be calling shotgun in the car or asking for a throne next to a Savior, but we’re putting way too much emphasis on position and not enough on relationship.

Paul reminds us that Jesus had every right to claim a position, every right to call shotgun, but instead chose the backseat, a position of humble servanthood at the feet of God.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant …” ~ Philippians 2:5-6

In the kingdom of God, the moment you start vying for position is the moment you lose it. Better to focus on kneeling and serving, especially if you want to capture the attention of a Savior.