Have you ever been picked last in a game when you were a kid?
I have.
I wasn’t part of the popular crowd. I was an outsider for most of school due to
moving every two to four years. Getting
picked last was the norm for me. It is
not a very good feeling at the time. As I
got older, I realized that was a small part of my life and being picked last
wasn’t the end of the world. It did leave an impression on me though.
Today I go out of my way to reach people others may
ignore. I am very sensitive to those who
are not in high positions. I try to
start up a conversation with the wait staff at the restaurants we go to. I go out of my way to say hi to the janitor or
cleaning staff in a building. I know how
it felt to be ignored. I want them to know
they matter and are special in God’s eyes.
I let God use me to remind them.
I went to an event recently that seating was not assigned. I didn’t mind and stood in the line waiting
our turn to go into the event room. I
knew, no matter where I sat, I would see and hear the musicians. WE stood in the line and walked into the room
with another couple. They took that
moment together to share what they observed throughout the weekend.
They saw people running in the room towards the front and
grabbing seats as fast as they could. Grown
adults pushing and running to be first. I
was a bit surprised because this was a Christian event. I guess selfishness is rampant in the church
as it is in the world. I sat and thought
about that for a minute.
While I was thinking the same woman said to me, “Wouldn’t it
be amazing if after everyone came rushing into the front, the main stage moved
to the back and the last were suddenly the first?”
I laughed out loud at the thought. Then I went back to my own thoughts and
wondered is this what Jesus meant when he said, “Anyone who wants to be first
must first be the very last.”
So, my thought for today is if you are feeling left out,
take heart, God notices, and the last will be the first. Our crowns and prestige come from someone much
higher than this world. Never forget
whose you are. You are a child of the King,
a chosen people, God’s special possession...
Mark 9:35 (NIV)
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who
wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because,
having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord
has promised to those who love him.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who
called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
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