The First will Be Last, The Last Will Be First

"He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever."
Psalms 136:25-26 NLT

The smell of bacon filled the air as it began frying in the pan sizzling on the stove. One by one I cracked large white eggs into a bowl to whisk before dumping them into the hot stainless steel pan to scramble. Without thinking my arm brushed the side of the egg carton and eight eggs fell to the floor and busted.

I stared at the mess in disbelief that I could manage to do that and before I could start cleaning up the broken mess the dogs were already licking it up. Mabel, Bj, and Sasha were all first to the seen and didn’t waste any time jumping into action. By the time the eggs were gone and the floor was cleaned by their hungry mouths, I noticed Sarah in the corner of the kitchen sitting down behind the others and waiting for her turn but there was none left.

David and I sat down to eat breakfast but we couldn’t eat all of it because my eyes were bigger than my stomach, I made way too much! Since Sarah didn’t get the raw eggs in the floor we decided she could have the left over scrambled eggs to make it even between the four of them. As I made her plate I realized it was the perfect example of when Jesus told the story about the vineyard workers in Matthew (20:1-16), even though the workers all worked different hours and the conditions were different, they all got paid the same amount. Those who worked all day were upset because the ones who only worked a short while got the same pay as them and Jesus said, “the first will be last and the last will be first.” 

Mabel, Bj, and Sasha were first to get the raw broken eggs in the floor, the eggs were in the dirt and dog hair and the three dogs had to work a little harder for what they got. Sarah was last because she stood back out of the chaos and waiting for her turn but it was too late.

Although, Sarah received her meal a little later than the others it was cooked and on a clean plate with a side of bacon being served before her. The other three looked disappointed that they didn’t get more to eat on a plate but the truth is they all had the same amount. 

Why does God make us wait for things? Why does it seem like others are farther ahead no matter how hard we try?

Because God only wants the best for his children. He doesn’t want us to settle for scraps that have fallen to the floor, he wants to serve us with his best! And usually the best things take time. Proverbs 10:22 says, “It is the Lord’s blessing that makes a person rich, and hard work adds nothing to it.” 

If you are struggling today while you’re watching everyone else succeed be like Sarah, stand back and let God work in your life because he is generous and has not forgotten you.

I promise, you won’t be disappointed with what God serves you at his table.

"It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep."
Psalms 127:2 NET