Behold…Some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.
“And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:30
I don’t know about you, but I was raised in a family that valued ambition. And while I don’t think there is anything wrong with ambition, I think you have to examine the reason for ambition. Is it a desire to be “first,” or is it a desire to do your best in an effort to glorify God?
While the above verse is very familiar, many may not know that it comes at the end of a very powerful parable. Jesus teaches his disciples and followers a very powerful truth as an answer to the question, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?”
Our highlighted verse this week is the summation of His teaching in the parable about the narrow door, which refers to salvation and rejection.
The wide door leads to destruction but the door that is narrow leads to life. Jesus says, “strive to enter through the narrow door” for many will seek to enter but will not be able. In Matthew, this door is referred to as a gate, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.” (7:13).
It appears we have two choices. To be first or to be last. To strive to enter the narrow gate or follow the masses through the wide gate. To follow the masses leads to destruction. And what are the masses seeking? To be first. To chase and desire what our culture deems important instead of following Jesus through the narrow gate that leads to abundance and eternal life.
As a woman and disciple of Christ, I hope these verses cause you to pause and reflect as they did me. Am I striving to be first by letting society tell me what makes me worthy or am I resting in the truths of Christ, knowing my worth has already been bestowed on me as a daughter of the King?
Which door am I choosing by how I spend my time? By who I follow on Instagram? By the Netflix shows I am choosing to watch? Am I following the masses and desiring the pleasures of world, or am I choosing to be different, turning from the masses and following the one true Christ, who calls me his beloved. Jesus not only calls to us from the narrow door, but he enters the masses, coming to rescue us who are lost and don’t have the door in sight.
Why then, friends, are we looking to Instagram, and to Pinterest, and to popular culture to show us what to look like, how to dress ourselves and our children, and what kind of education our children need in order to all be the “best” (or first). Our worth is not determined by this. We know this. Does how we spend our time and efforts reflect this?
What do you think we would find in a Google search for “the best” woman, mom, or wife? The possibilities are endless.
Now let’s compare that to what Jesus teaches us.
I’m sure the top hits would not be humility, gentleness, and a quiet spirit. These virtues may not be what is preached by the world to get ahead or be first, but they are most certainly “precious in the sight of God”(1 Peter 3:4).
We know this too. We know God values the hidden character of the heart over outward appearance. But do our priorities reflect this?
Does the way we spend our time, energy, and money reflect this?
Are our thoughts pointed towards Jesus and our eternal home? Or do we spend more energy trying to figure out how to perfect our earthy home?
If I’m being honest, I get distracted way too easily and at times I desire to be “first.” Sometimes I desire to be honored and praised for my good works. I often choose the wide gate. I get distracted. The lusts of the world entice me and draw me away, telling me to pursue the perfect____(you name it). There is so much to distract us away from pursuing holiness and righteousness, virtues fleeting from our media and culture. Like me, there may be times that you’re headed through the wide door because you're not paying attention.
If you have read Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis you know our Enemy knows it doesn’t take much to distract us. It’s the little things, he says,
“You will find that anything or nothing is sufficient to attract his wandering attention. You no longer need a good book, which he really likes, to keep him from his prayers or his work or his sleep; a column of advertisements in yesterday’s paper will do. ...You can make him do nothing at all for long periods”
The Enemy will not outsmart us! Let’s vow to stop being distracted (enter social media) and open our eyes, hearts, and minds to Jesus. He will guide us to the narrow door. But we must choose to follow.
Thankfully, Christ has not left us alone to figure out where the door is and how to get there. He gave us His Church. The beauty of our Catholic faith is centered on Jesus in the Eucharist and the sacraments. These help turn us away from the masses when we get distracted and direct us back to our eternal hope.
Again, I simply ask you to pause. Maybe you need to realize that your badge of busyness doesn’t make you first, it makes you tired. You have permission to rest and reflect and to be still with your Creator and Lover of your soul. He will reveal to you where your heart lies. If He is asking you to turn from the masses and enter the narrow gate, I beg you, follow!
This blog post was written by Amy Hobson, hospitality committee member.