Waiting In A Queue

When I arrived I was seventh in line, but the queue seemed to take forever to move.

Mark 9:33-50

Reference: Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35 TNIV)

Explore: The other day I went into a Medicare office to get a refund on a doctor’s appointment. I was in a bit of a hurry, and so, was frustrated to be waiting in quite a long queue.

When I arrived I was seventh in line, but the queue seemed to take forever to move.

Finally I got to the counter, only to discover that Medicare had changed their reimbursement system. I now had to give them my bank account details and they would place my refund straight into my account.

Of course, I didn’t have my account details on me, and so, the Medicare worker suggested that I go to my bank, which was just downstairs, and get my details. She must have noticed that I was in a hurry, so added, “When you come back, just come straight up to see me and you won’t have to go to the end of the line.”

I was so relieved that I didn’t have to wait all over again.

Application: Being last can be a real drag. To be honest, if I had to go back to the end of the line at Medicare I probably wouldn’t have bothered coming back on that day.

Everything in our fast paced society tells us to be quick, hurry, and strive for the front of the line. But when we read Jesus’ words we notice that He says quite the opposite.

To be first, we must be last.

Jesus gave us many examples of how He placed Himself below others, and in that way He showed us to do the same.

Whenever I find myself in a long queue, I shouldn’t stand there frustrated and counting the minutes. Instead, I should be like Christ, and see if there’s anyone who needs to go before me instead.

Prayer: Lord, give me the patience to see Your love before my self-importance. Amen.

How can you give up your ‘first’ position to show Jesus’ love?

first, Jesus, last, Mark, patience, waiting