There is always something special about being first. When I was in grade school, we would fight to be first in line. Adult drivers on the highway fight to be in front of each other. People want to be the first person to own that new electronic gadget, or be the first to see the new movie. In short, people want to be first.
It is natural for us to selfishly want preference. We want to be special, but that is not how God would have us. God wrote in His word, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.” God does not want us to desire to be first, it is not Christ-like. In the end, He will even the score. He will exalt those that humble themselves. And humble those that exalt themselves.
So I would like to encourage you. Don’t fight to be first in this life. If you do, your reward will not be great. Obey Christ’s command to humble yourself. As he commanded in Luke 22:26, “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” Don’t seek to be first. As Christ did, serve those around you. Prefer one another. Seek to serve and to be a servant. Don’t desire to be special, don’t push your way to the front of the line. Put Christ first. Allow Him to govern your actions. As you look through His eyes, you will see that the needs of others are greater than yours. In the end, your small sacrifice for others will be rewarding, not only in this life, but also in God’s everlasting kingdom.
“And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” – Colossians 1:18
(Preeminence – quality of being first)
For it is God which worketh in you, 