“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes…loveth to have the preeminence among them…[Christ] is the head…of the church:…that in all things He might have the preeminence.”~ 1 Jn. 1:9; Col. 1:18 [note: the above text is at the root of church trouble]
Technically (in theater terms), "upstaging" is the practice of standing further upstage than your fellow actor(s), thus forcing them to turn away from the audience in order to look at you (which places them in a poor position from the audience's point of view).
Of course this practice is not confined to the theatre. There has always been a class of second rate actors vying for Jesus’ position, calling attention to themselves and drawing the eyes of the audience away from Him. This uncomely spiritual upstaging can be done by preachers, singers, writers, and any and all who are a part of His Church! It is of paramount importance for them to be important, even if it is at His expense.
There is only one star in God’s saga of life-JESUS! The rest of us are to dutifully carry out our supportive roles away from center stage’s glare, content with our names in small, fine print on the marquee. He is to be in every scene of God’s production. He is the main character. He will not share the spotlight with amateurs, nor should He.
As with any Star, His autograph is highly prized and sought after. However, Christ’s signature is dipped in His own life-giving, sacrificial and sinless Blood. No cheap, upstaging, copy-cat imitator could ever do this!
by an Old Disciple of Jesus Christ
It's sadly true... Just think what the fallen Angel did.
So true, Dad. Thank you!