Last Place, How Bad Do You Want It?

As Outreach Coordinator, I knew for a fact, that my job would be a breeze. I am an extravert (sometimes loud and obnoxious) with a passion of loving and spending time with people. Kid's Club? I would obviously rock that. I had run programs for years and kids loved my awkward personality. The week before I had planned to pick up 30 kids from different locations around the community. I was organized and ready for the first team to arrive. I had heard a lot about the team from Atlanta, another EM summer staff member, William (who is working in Joplin) was from the Atlanta church and he had told me all about their team leader and her fiery personality. She had a passion for her youth group and had done dozens of EM Summer trips. William told me to match her fiery personality with my equally spunkiness and we would get along wonderfully.

The team arrives on Sunday and I love Allison (the team leader) almost immediately. She was organized, had a system, but was flexible and willing to work with us as we learned the ropes of the community and our new jobs and responsibilities.  Monday rolls around for Kid's Club and it was a disaster. I had rounded up four out of the 30 kids that planned on attending. The rest of the week was the same sort of disaster. I felt completely helpless, I was doing the right things and trying to do my job as Outreach Coordinator, but I was continuing to fail in all that I did. I could only continue to apologize over and over to the teams for the way things were turning out. Allison was a God-send; she was understanding, patient and kind-hearted for all the troubles I was going through. On Wednesday night, I opened my Bible out of frustration. All I could do is ask God, "Why? Why is this happening?" 

I opened up to Matthew 20:16 and read, "So the last will be first, and the first last.” I felt as though God was opening up my eyes to truly live for him. Love with brotherly affection and do everything for Him. Being an avid soccer player, I knew all about first place. I strived for it not only on the field, but also in all aspects of life. It is said that second place is the first loser... But in God's Kingdom we are called to be last. Last place, huh? I didn't want it bad enough. I was striving to come in first place all week; making Atlanta's trip stupendous and the community feeling dignified. But God reminded me that last place is where He truly wanted me to be. To feel as though I had to rely on God for everything and serve Him in even the most difficult situations. To continue to serve His Kingdom in impossible situations and in the best situations. 

God calls us to love the unwanted, the 'others,' to meet people where they are at and put all of them first. It is much simpler to put them first, than to put ourselves last. Last place... how bad do you want it?