WF Pride

Recognition and Respect of Others

Chad Cottingham

A homeless man in New York City rebuked a church employee one day. The church employee had found him going through a trash can on the side of the Manhattan church building. The employee was irritated, and said, “Hey, when you’re through with the can, put it all back, and make sure the lid is on.” And began walking away.
“Just a minute,” the homeless man called out. The employee turned to face him. He said, “I’ll be glad to do what you asked if you ask me respectfully.”
Respectfully! He had him! This man knew disrespect when he heard it.
The employee sucked in my breath, swallowed his pride, and said, “You’re absolutely right, and I’m so sorry. Sir, when you’re finished, it would mean a lot to me if you would please make sure the area is tidy.”
“I’d be glad to,” he responded. They shook hands.

We disrespect others when we reject them because they’re not like we are. We disrespect others when we judge them because they offend us, not because of sin, but because of personality or cultural practices that don’t appeal to us. We disrespect others when we control them because they threaten us. We must never show disrespect to a person because they are not “like us,” think differently, or respond to situations differently than we do.

To respect a person means to feel and show honor to them. It means to hold each individual in high regard. Some people by virtue of personality or gifts are easy to respect, but all people must be respected. Respect comes from the realization that God is at work in people’s lives. Not one of us is a finished product. Respect allows a person to grow. Respect gives an individual room to grow and places them in a situation where they can grow. But the bottom line is this: We respect and value people because God values people.

Excerpts taken from: Respect: The Foundation of an Effective Team by Ron Moore

Leviticus 19:33-34 – Do not exploit the foreigners who live in your land. They should be treated like everyone else, and you must love them as you love yourself ~NLT.

“Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to love and respect all people like You do. Help us to see people like You see them. Let us not treat others as ‘foreigners’ because they think, or act different than us. Help us to recognize and respect them as a child made in Your image. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen”