A couple of years ago, I was at an amusement park with our two children. We were waiting in a very long line for a popular ride. At first, it was a single-file line, but when we got closer to the front, everyone bunched up into a small room to wait to get on the ride. The room was about 20′ x 20′. We were the first ones in this new batch, and so we naturally just walked up to the front area of the little room. But when the other people came from behind us, most of them kids, they were so excited and so anxious about getting on that ride that somehow they maneuvered their way in front of us. Now I’m more laid back, and I wasn’t going to get in there and fight with them or try to “stand our ground.” But when all the people finished shoveling in, we ended up at the very back of the room—right where we came in. In a couple of minutes, a young lady who worked the ride came in, made some announcements, and gave us instructions about what was going to happen. Then she said, “Is everybody ready to go?” and everybody said, “Yeah!” She said, “Okay, turn around and go back out the doors you just came in.” The very doors we were standing in front of. Of course, I wanted to say, “Nanny-nanny-boo-boo” to all those kids, but we were just happy to get on the ride. I thought we would be last, but we ended up being first.

I’ve found that a lot of times life works out just like that. You may be headed somewhere in your life, and it looks like people or circumstances are pushing you back. It may seem like you’re getting further and further away from where you want to be. But all God has to do is change the direction of the wind, and you’ll be first in line. That’s God’s favor on your life. He can turn things around and make you first in line for a new job opportunity, a new home, a new relationship or a medical miracle. Today, you may feel like you’re in the back of the line and nothing is going your way, but get ready because God is about to turn things around for you!

So the last will be first, and the first will be last (Matthew 20:16, NIV).