Matthew 20:16 NKJV ~ “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
In today’s culture, people are defined by their social and financial status! If you have a lot, you are first and if you have little then you are last! But what did Jesus mean about this in the Bible? Jesus said that the lonely, the poor and the sick will be the first to in Heaven. Do you think it is because they lack the distractions that the successful person has, such as money and a tad bit of too much pride to go with it? People are taught to focus on worldly success to such an extent that if our majors do not equal financial success, they are dismissed. Just because you have more than somebody else does not mean that you are going to Heaven first! You need to check yourself!
Matthew 20:16, “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
Matthew 19:30, “But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”
Mark 10:31, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Luke 13:30 NKJV, “And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”
As you can see in three of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, they are telling you to be mindful of always wanting to be first! Sometimes you just need to learn how to tarry, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but a the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry! Habakkuk 2:3! and wait on the Lord! “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NIV!
As the Gospels have stated at some point or another you have just been focused on being first! Even after hearing what God says, you are still contemplating wanting to be first and not last! No one wants to be last! You want to be first at the store, first in line, or even first to church, (or do you want to be the last to come, so that you can be the first to leave?) but why? Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV – “The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong” Ecclesiastes 9:11a), What was your motive? What is your heart’s desire? Does it really serve you a purpose to be first? What did you accomplish? Only you can answer these questions for you. Just a little nugget to help you, perception is how you see yourself and perspective is how you view everyone else because of how you see you! Are we trying to be first for your own gain or image?
God said the last will first, and the first last, in Matthew 20:16, but He said something very important after that, He said, “for many are called, but few are chosen.” Which one are you? Did you call yourself to it or did God handpick you and choose you for it? If you picked you, I would step down until He chooses you! When you are trying to be first, is it for others to see you? To see what you are doing, (and as you say, it’s for God, but you are enjoying that spotlight aren’t you?) If you are doing it for God, He will reward you and others will see it without you making a sound! I just want you to know that God your thoughts, your motives your reasons and He knows and sees your every move. You might fool people, but you will never ever be able to fool God!
Most people believe being first means being fast, but the race that you are running doesn’t call for you to be first or fast, you are just called to run your race and run it for God. Hebrews 12:1. As a matter of fact the prize you want isn’t the one that man made, you want the one God made, for it will not rust or tarnish, it’s an eternal prize, with benefits from your Father! 1 Corinthians 9:25! Those who are humble and followers of Jesus will make great sacrifices for the gospel and sometimes you have to be willing to go last! God’s ways are equal and equally gracious, and you should be humble and thankful for that kind of grace!
Yes, are on borrowed time but God wants you to take your time and understand that being last is okay. This race calls for you to be steadfast in your faith and in His Word. It’s time for you to focus on what God called you to do and not on how fast you will get it done or if you will finish first because there is always something that God needs you to do. God wants you to enjoy your moments, smell the flowers along the way, check out a sunrise and a sunset, take in and give a smile, this will encourage your heart along the way!
Have you ever been to a track meet, you’ll see the person in last place never stops running, never changes lanes, and never slows down. Instead, they pace themselves, keep their heads up, and keep running until they reach the finish line. You see when you learn how to pace yourself in your race this happens to you and for you, Romans 5:3-5 NIV, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Don’t worry about what someone else is doing in their lane, stay in yours and focus. It may take you two years to complete your assignment and take someone 2 months to complete their assignment, it doesn’t matter when everything is done for the Kingdom of God and His Glory! It will all be just fine. You just keep running and going until God says it’s over and pace yourself for the course that He has set in front of you. Set your pace and find your lane and stay in it!
Think about this the next time that you are trying to hurry up and be first, let me tell you what these scriptures actually mean, those who are considered to be first in this life will receive condemnation in the afterlife, while those who are considered to be last will receive a great reward in heaven! Which one do you really want?
Let’s Pray:
Father, thank You! Thank You for building up my character in You! Thank You for the vigor and stamina to run my race and to run it with You in mind. Father Thank You! Father, I praise Your Holy Name, Thank You for saving me when I was lost. Thank You! Thank You for setting my path and pace in place to see You. Teach me how to run with endurance and resilience to move past everything that would try to hinder or derail me. Father, You are backbone of my success and I’m grateful to You for everything! Father, I’m blessing Your Name on my good days and on my challenging days, for I know that this too is a part of my race! Thank You for my waiting period, teaching me how to tarry and wait on You as I watch and walk carefully. Father help me to be patient and to not want to always be first! Help me to be conscious and consistent and let others go before me today! Father grow me in every area of my life. Thank You for pouring out Your love on me in this race call life, I’m pacing myself today and I’m okay with not being first, just as long as I know that I have a home with You, for I was chosen by You! Father, I choose to run my race with Heaven on my mind, my eternal prize! In the Name of Jesus Christ! Amen!
Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean
