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- Apr 25, 2006
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Don't be a Diotrephes diva
'Diotrephes, who loves to be first.' 3 JOHN 1 :9
It's an old cliche, but you know when your PE teacher harps on about their being 'No "I" in team", well, they're right. Cristiano Ronaldo is thought to be pretty darn good at dribbling a ball, but if he was to face a whole team just by himself, he'd get nowhere. It doesn't matter how gifted he is, he still needs forwards to pass to, defenders to mop up mistakes, a keeper for a clean sheet - you get the picture.
It's the same with us. Our gifts and strengths fit in with other people's gifts and strengths. The last thing you want in a team is a Prima Donna who refuses to work with others.
The early church knew all about that: 'But Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us...Not only does he refuse to welcome the travelling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church' (3 John 1: 9-10 NLT).
What a muppet Diotrephes was! He wasn't into team play, he was a diva. He wanted centre stage for himself. But 'stars' are insecure; they can't get beyond themselves to work with others. They stay weak in certain areas. Don't be a Diotrephes diva, use your talent as part of a team. Get connected. You'll go further with your church than without.
written by Bob Gass
'Diotrephes, who loves to be first.' 3 JOHN 1 :9
It's an old cliche, but you know when your PE teacher harps on about their being 'No "I" in team", well, they're right. Cristiano Ronaldo is thought to be pretty darn good at dribbling a ball, but if he was to face a whole team just by himself, he'd get nowhere. It doesn't matter how gifted he is, he still needs forwards to pass to, defenders to mop up mistakes, a keeper for a clean sheet - you get the picture.
It's the same with us. Our gifts and strengths fit in with other people's gifts and strengths. The last thing you want in a team is a Prima Donna who refuses to work with others.
The early church knew all about that: 'But Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us...Not only does he refuse to welcome the travelling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church' (3 John 1: 9-10 NLT).
What a muppet Diotrephes was! He wasn't into team play, he was a diva. He wanted centre stage for himself. But 'stars' are insecure; they can't get beyond themselves to work with others. They stay weak in certain areas. Don't be a Diotrephes diva, use your talent as part of a team. Get connected. You'll go further with your church than without.
written by Bob Gass
