Matthew 20:16

Last night at Salt, Mark was talking about Mark 10:35-45. For those that don't know these verses off the top of your head and are too lazy to look them up online, this is where James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask to sit at the right and left hand of the Son. I'm not sure if he referenced the passage directly, or if my mind just slipped in that direction, but I was reminded of Matthew 20:16.


“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”


I think this is a slightly dangerous verse for me. I'm concerned that I take this to heart and try to be last just so that I can be first. This went along well with what my connection group talked about on Monday--Mark 7:20-22, which is about what makes a man clean or unclean. We talked about our less obvious sins, and one I realized was my pride. I work hard at hiding my bad side by helping out as much as I can.


After the service, I sat down to pray about it. I was going to get up and leave before tear-down, but when I stopped praying, there was a crowd of people around me, effectively blocking my exit. A little later, I was walking around, and ran into one of my connection group's leaders. We talked for a bit, and he prayed for me, so I was there until tear-down began.


As I thought about it during tear-down, I realized that's only part of why I help out so much. I also help out because I love it. I love helping out, plus I get to hang out with some cool people. Yes, it feeds my pride issues, but that's just something I need to work on. I can't just run away when God gives me an opportunity to grow in Him.