Go to the back of the line!
It’s one thing to be told to go to the back of the line and quite another to choose to do it yourself. Have you ever had someone cut in line while you were waiting to check out of a store? The tension in the air can be cut with a knife, and usually an outspoken person will take charge and speak for the whole group of shoppers who have been patiently waiting their turn. Why are we humans pushed out of shape when we feel someone is putting themselves before us? It seems to be a common trait. In Mark chapter 9 Jesus’s disciples addressed this when they argued with one another about who would be the greatest, verse 34. The lesson that followed the question I’m sure was not what they expected.
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:33-35
The first will be last? The last will be first? What on earth was Jesus talking about? You mean in order for someone to be first in the Kingdom of God they have to take the last place here. I’m sure He stepped on a few toes in that line following Him.
With Christmas just around the corner and holiday shopping moving to full throttle, this becomes the perfect time to put His teaching into practice, literally. It is a time for us to do something unthinkable…unheard of, and frankly…kind of weird; go to the back of the line. Or at least let someone else go in front of us. What a strange thing that would be for others waiting in line, to see you smile at the person behind you and say, “Would you like to go ahead of me?”
There are many ways to put this into practice and we shouldn’t just limit it to the holidays, but I think at this time of year it’s a bigger sacrifice because we find ourselves short on time and a few other things like patience…and money.
Are you ready to take Jesus’ challenge and send yourself to the back of the line?
Yes, I am ready.
What an awesome challenge, Charlotte. You are right, we short on a lot of things, but maybe we can try to let others go before us this Christmas season.