Matthew 19:30

“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

It is sad that many have made it their aim in life to be seen as first, and above, and better, and stronger than others. They pursue this with all their strength and vigor and will do almost anything to achieve personal fame and success. But all these pursuits are so transient, vain and empty because they don’t have any eternal value. So, while we need to seek to be the best we can be in any endeavor, the motivation must not be for personal celebration or to be recognized as being better than others. All such desires and ambitions are born from Self and are carnal and ungodly.

Seek God and His priorities. All those who seek human glory as an end will be last on the day of reckoning. Seek God and His agenda. Only those who pursue the kingdom priorities will be esteemed as first on the day of the Lord. Don’t join the gang of worldly men who seek human accolades and fleshly recognition; men who want to be seen as first. This is not a call to mediocrity or laziness in human pursuits; it’s merely a call not to make personal success the idol of our lives, lest we achieve success that robs us of true faith in what really counts for eternity.

“Lord Jesus, I hear You. I hear You loud and clear. May You be the pursuit of my heart and in making You first, all other things will align, and even if the world calls me ‘failure, last, loser’, I know that You are the final judge and I know Your verdict on me is different.”