Back Row Saints

Well, Buttercup, pull up a porch chair and git yourself seated real good while ‘a-mindin’ to be ‘a-shooin’ off that there nosy chicken ‘a‑tryin’ to inspect your boots ‘cause we’re gonna be ‘a- wanderin’ into one of Jesus’s upside‑down truths that’ll stick to your soul like warm molasses ‘a-oozin’ right over a warm, buttered biscuit.

Matthew 19:30 says, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Now that there verse will make your brain tilt like a lil’ ol’ confused goat ‘a-starin’ at a screen door.

Folks’re always ‘a-wonderin’ jes’ who is gonna be ‘a-havin’ the very best seats in heaven. Some of y’all probably done think Mother Teresa and Billy Graham will be ‘a-sittin’ front row center with halos ’a-shinin’ like headlights on a tractor. And maybe they will be. But I always figure I’ll be sinewhere up in that there heavenly balcony with you, Buttercup, jus’ real glad to be ‘a-havin’ the real blessin’ o’ ‘a-gittin’ to even be in the building and really ‘a-hopin’ the popcorn is free.

But here is what I truly believe, friend. The ones we done never saw, the ones who done served real quiet as a lil’ ol’ mouse in a corncrib, the ones who done gave everything they had without ever postin’ it online, they might be the ones ‘a-sittin’ in the VIP section. Heaven jus’ ain’t real impressed with platforms, microphones, or book deals. No, sir, why, Heaven’s more impressed with that there real, genuine faithfulness.

I once heard about them Armenian believers who done felt called to be ‘a-ministerin’ in a leper colony. To live there, they had to actually get leprosy. Now, by thunder, Buttercup, I reckon that there is not the kind of mission trip you sign up for ‘cause you done want to git to be ‘a-wearin’ a real cute T-shirt. That there’s the kind of love that sho’-nuff’ looks like Jesus.

Meanwhile, we are down here ‘a-worshipin’ at the altar of celebrity pastors and shiny Christian influencers. But Heaven might jus’ hand the front row seats to the grandma who done prayed real hard every day for fifty years, the man who done washed dishes in the church kitchen till his fingers pruned, or the missionary who done served in a forgotten village where even the squirrels didn’t know his name.

The ground is real level at the cross, Buttercup. God really done sees the hidden faithful. He done sees the ones who served without applause, gave without recognition, and sacrificed without anyone ‘a-clappin’ like trained seals.

So, Buttercup, you gotta stop measurin’ your spiritual success by visibility. You don’t need a spotlight. You just be ‘a-needin’ faithfulness. Be ‘a-servin’ Him. Be ‘a-lovin’ people. Stay hidden if that is where He has you. Heaven’s front row jus’ might have your name stitched on one of them there seat cushions.

Lord, I come a‑standin’ here like a jittery lil ol’ chipmunk on a fence rail, askin’ You to help me serve You with a faithful heart. Keep me humble, keep me steady, and keep me focused on what matters to You, not what’s gonna be impressin’ folks. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, Buttercup, that there is enough truth to set your soul straight without ‘a-needin’ a parade to go with it. Now go on and live faithful, even if nobody down here’s ‘a-clapin’ for you ‘cause Heaven’s surely ‘a-doin’ it. And let me be ‘a-tellin’ you, the Lord done notices every quiet act of obedience, even the ones smaller than a field mouse ’a-tiptoein’ past a barn cat. So, keep on servin’, keep on lovin’, and keep on leanin’ into Jesus, ‘cause faithfulness done shines brighter in Heaven than that ol’ sun ‘a-shining at high noon on a real clear summer day!

With joy,

Gwen