Be Last

Jesus told a story and ended with the words, “The last shall be first, and the first shall be last” (Matthew 20:16).

I was reminded of his words when I and my husband, Brock, went to Bulgaria to serve on a medical mission team.  We opened the clinic that morning expecting the usual torrent of anxious, ailing villagers. The waiting room filled within seconds and many dozens had to wait outside. Many we knew would not be seen that day but they all rushed the door in the hope that they would. 

A young woman made it into the waiting room but sat silently in the corner throughout the morning. Whenever the doctor asked for the next patient, the dozens in the waiting room would rush to the doctor’s office door, hoping to be the one I let in. But not that one woman. She never made an attempt to rush ahead of the others to get to see the doctor. 

Watching her sit quietly waiting and not putting her needs before the others amazed me. I went over to her and took her hand and led her to stand beside me at the doctor’s door. When the doctor requested the next patient, I led her in and she was able to get the help she needed. 

Does God notice when we step back, when we don’t put ourselves and our needs before the needs of others? Will he bless us for being willing to be last? Try letting someone ahead of you in line, or letting someone have that last piece of cake. You may just end up first when it really matters.