Romans 13:7….Pay to all what is due them….respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
My car was low on gas so I went to my normal station to fill up and as I pulled up there was a car in front of me with the doors wide open, trunk open and the speakers were at full blast taking over the entire area. It was loud beyond belief and there were 4 young guys standing outside cursing. Now, as a servant, I am to give of myself to people and help to institute change. I just happened not to be in the servant mood that day. SO, I approached them and asked them if they would mind turning their music down low or off completely, as there were other people besides themselves.
Their response was more cursing and louder music. I got in my car and left as they were lifting their hands to express their emotions, which by the way, were not in prayer. As I am driving off, I realized that no one from inside, ownership or manager, came out to control the situation.
We just seem to ignore the situation as we are afraid of the consequences. With today’s anger and hostility and selfishness, we are not really certain what the outcome will be so we just let it happen.
Has this ever happened to you when you were driving and someone was either behind you or to the side of you with the windows down and the music was deafening. The driver was only thinking of himself as if there was no one else in the world but him and if there was someone else, that person would just have to adjust.
What has become of us? Where did we go wrong? Where is our respect for one another? Servanthood is being tested beyond the limits in today’s society, but we must prevail in our thoughts and actions in order to institute change. We must love one another and be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others; however, there are limits.
Proverbs 14:29 is severely tested during these times…….Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly. As we continue in Proverbs, we come to chapter 15:5…A fool despises a parents’ instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
So, my friends, what is the answer to lack of respect that we have today, one for the other.
By our behavior, stepping back and looking at the total situation, tongue rolled back in our head so we can assess the situation, we then act with prudence and accept the consequences. Are we to sit back and accept everything that is amiss in today’s society? Certainly not. If we act in love, not hatred, we can change the world so that others, boom box and all, can change themselves for the better.
The boom box is but a part of the lives of everyone. What causes us to do this? What are we thinking when we invade the sanctity of the other individuals around us? Why are we not aware of others’ feelings? Why do we insist on our own way? Why do we think that we are the only person? What has happened to make us feel that the world revolves around us? What are we to do?
This attitude has invaded all businesses today and it is a main reason why we are in trouble. We have forgot the basics. Proverbs 16:1 tells us that the plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. We have plans and schemes and thoughts and dreams; but, they will not come to fruition by ourselves.
Have you given of yourself today to another? Did you help someone today? Were you a servant to one in need? Are your eyes looking for opportunity to bless someone or looking only for personal gratification?
Ecclesiastes 3:1… For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Is this your season for servanthood?
Now, that really is a discussion for another day.
Blessings.