 |
| Malia - next to last! |
Did you ever hear the old saying, "Last but not least?" It was meant to convey that the best had been saved for last. Because humanly speaking, being last sucks. When I was a kid growing up, my maiden name began with W. I was always last in line (or very nearly last) at school or other events.
I hated being last.
The bible talks about being last. God looks at being last in a different way than we do. He actually says that the last will be first.
Huh?
Then again, the Christian life is always filled with things that are opposite of what the world would do.
Turn the other cheek.
Forgive seventy times seven.
Esteem others better than yourself.
So why not the last shall be first?
It speaks of humility. Not striving to be first, but just doing your best. And then, in due time, God exalts you. He lifts you up out of your last place and advances you to the head of the line.
Much better than thinking you're "all that," and then realizing that you really belong in the last place!
So keep on keeping on - even if it looks like you will be the last one finished. If your heart is right, you might just find out you're the "head of the class!"
STOP
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
Sounds like fun, yes? If you want to join us, go to Lisa-Jo Baker.com.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
Sounds like fun, yes? If you want to join us, go to Lisa-Jo Baker.com.
Hi! Linked up behind you at Lisa-Jo's! YES to humility. YES to allowing God to exalt us in His time. And YES to the intimacy with Jesus that comes from settling into seasons of feeling "last" and trusting Him that He's working it together for our good.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading this. Thank you! :)
I was just reading something very similar to this last evening as I was finishing up Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges. You have put it so well when you've put the emphasis on doing our best for the Lord...it's all about our heart attitude!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing, Jerralea!
True, true, true.
ReplyDeleteI loved this!!
ReplyDeleteDear Jerralea
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to work totally different in the Kingdom of God than what we are used to here on earth! Like beauty out of ashes and strength out of weakness.
Much love XX
Mia
Hi Jerralea! My last name started with an 'R' as a child, so I know what you mean. ( I am now a 'D', what a difference!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement to 'keep on keeping on', I love that. Being a follower means you can't be first. If you are following, you are not leading!
Have a good weekend, my friend!
Ceil