Locations & Times

Let’s talk about the next chair. 

You’ve graduated from the high chair. You’ve wiped the applesauce off your face, figured out how to tie your shoes (mostly), and now? You’ve moved on to Chair Two. 

It’s the driver’s seat. 

And listen, nothing says “I’m growing up” like getting behind the wheel. That moment you first put the keys in the ignition and realize you can go anywhere? It’s freedom. It’s independence. It’s power. 

And it’s dangerous. 

Because with that kind of power comes a whole new level of responsibility. And that’s what Chair Two is all about. 

See, if Chair One is childhood—where the world revolves around me—Chair Two is adolescence. And I don’t just mean teenagers. This isn’t about an age; it’s about a mindset. You can be 16 or 60 and still stuck in Chair Two. 

Chair Two is the tension of me vs. others. 

It’s “I want the benefits of adulthood—but not the responsibility.” 

Sound familiar? 

The Illusion of Control 

When you’re in the driver’s seat, everything feels like it’s in your control. You’ve got your hand on the wheel, your foot on the gas, and you get to decide the direction. And that’s not a bad thing. Independence is necessary. God didn’t create robots. He gave us free will on purpose. 

But here's the question Chair Two forces you to ask: 

What authority am I willing to submit to when I’m the one holding the keys? 

Because there are rules of the road. There are speed limits. There are red lights and stop signs and yield warnings. And they’re not there to ruin your fun—they’re there to keep you alive. 

But if you don’t trust the rules… if you don’t trust the One who made them… 

You start pushing limits. Testing boundaries. Rolling stop signs. And before you know it, you’ve crashed. 

The Number One Killer 

There’s a reason the number one killer of teenagers in America is car accidents. It’s not because they’re evil. It’s not even always because they’re reckless. It’s because they’re inexperienced, impulsive, and convinced they’re invincible. 

That’s Chair Two. 

You know enough to get yourself going, but not enough to always make it home safely. 

This is where a lot of us are spiritually. We’ve outgrown the high chair, but now we’re testing our freedom. And we’re asking the same kinds of questions teenagers ask when they start driving: 

• Why is that rule even there? 

• Do I really need to follow it? 

• What happens if I break it just this once? 

• Who’s really in charge—me or the guy who posted the speed limit? 

And God, in His grace, lets you wrestle with those questions. 

He doesn’t snatch the keys out of your hand. 

He invites you to choose wisdom. To choose trust. To choose submission...not because He’s power-hungry, but because He knows what’s ahead. He sees what’s around the corner when all you see is a straightaway. 

The Battle in Your Mind 

Chair Two isn’t just about driving a car. It’s about how you’re navigating life with your mind. This is the quadrant of truth. This is where you start asking: 

• What is true? 

• Who can I trust? 

• What’s the wisest path forward? 

And let me tell you—the world is full of competing voices offering directions. 

There’s a lot of noise. A lot of opinions. A lot of confusion. And if you don’t intentionally choose who your GPS is set to, you’ll drift off the road before you even realize it. 

Chair Two is where you start forming your worldview. 

It’s where you decide whether God’s Word is going to guide your life...or just sit in your backseat as a nice suggestion. 

It’s where you figure out whether you’re going to slow down when the Holy Spirit whispers, “Not now…” or floor it because you think you know best. 

Speed Limits and Surrender 

Here’s something to think about that we’ll dive deeper into next week: 

If you won’t obey the speed limit now...if you won’t listen to authority now...what do you think your response will be later when God says, “Slow down”? 

Chair Two reveals your posture toward authority. 

Do you view rules as protection or restriction? 

Do you see God’s commands as boundaries for life or barriers to fun? 

That one decision...how you view authority...will shape every road you take from here on out. 

Growing Out of Chair Two 

Now don’t get me wrong...Chair Two isn’t bad. 

This is where good growth happens. This is where you learn discernment, build wisdom, and ask real questions. It’s a critical seat on the journey to spiritual maturity. 

But you’re not meant to live here forever. 

Eventually, your relationship with Jesus has to move from me vs. others to me for others. 

From questioning authority to becoming someone others can trust. 

From reacting impulsively to responding wisely. 

From living for independence to choosing surrender. 

That’s the next chair. But before we get there, you’ve got to be honest about this one. 

Where Are You? 

Are you in the driver’s seat? 

Are you wrestling with what’s true, what’s wise, and who you can trust? 

Are you struggling to let go of control, even when you know it’s time to slow down? 

If so, you’re not alone. 

Jesus doesn’t shame you for asking the questions. He doesn’t yank the wheel. He sits beside you. He says, “Let’s drive this road together. I know where we’re going.” 

Chair Two isn’t the end of the road. 

It’s the place where you learn that freedom without wisdom leads to wreckage...and that the best ride you’ll ever take is the one where Jesus isn’t just your co-pilot. 

He’s the one calling the shots. 

If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.