Her eyes are dull, her mouth turns down, and her step is slow. Significantly overweight, “Kathy” is a church acquaintance from a congregation we attended in the 70s who I saw a few years ago greeting customers at Meijier. Leaving the store that day, I smiled a greeting.
“Karen, George had open-heart surgery four weeks ago.” George was her husband, so big the last time I’d seen him that he was using an electric scooter.
I stopped. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is he recovering okay?”
“He’s diabetic, so healing has been slow, but God has been with us.”
As she went on to describe their ordeal, I took an internal deep breath and consciously focused on her words.
As I listened, watching her face, a completely different image flashed through my mind. I saw her leading a line of worshippers, twirling a red silk flag, stepping high, eyes flashing in joy and wonder.
After a few minutes she said, “I’d better let you go.”
Walking away, I thought, I’ve just seen her through God’s eyes—a precious, delightful worshipper.
Jesus doesn’t conceal impatience in her presence. He rejoices over her heart. He looks forward to the consummation of her life in the fully realized Kingdom.
She may be last now, but she will be one of the first then. Glory to God for his upside down kingdom.
Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:30 NIV