E-quip post #3 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Proverbs 28:14 "Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity."

I have a lot of respect for military personnel. What a picture of service and honor! A major difference that I see between military guys and the average Joe is the respect that the military guys show. Yes, sir. No, sir. Yes, mam. No, mam. Please. Thank You. These guys are under an authority that they submit to. Here is what authority is..."Legitimate power in which people believe that the differences in power are just and proper-that is, people view a leader as being entitled to give orders." The military is based on an order structure that is recognized and adhered to by all its members. That is how things work and are held together.

Similarly, God has put an order structure in our lives as students and young adults that keeps us in line. I remember my mom telling me that she felt like a drill sergeant half the time as she was raising three kids. (Of whom I was by far the most testing). You know, our whole life we will be under some sort of authority here on earth. When you're a kid, obviously your parents, teachers, coaches, etc. have authority over you. When you are an adult, you have to answer to the man (your boss) and your wife! (Hey-don't kid yourself) And when you are really old, you are under the authority of the crazy ladies at the convalescent home that you are going to be living at! It seems that we can never get away from the authority of people who change our diapers. Mom when we are young, crazy convalescent ladies when we are old. Sorry, that's the circle of life, just the way things go.

Here is what I noticed about teenagers and the issue of respect. Most teenagers want to be respected by their parents, friends, teachers, coaches, etc. without necessarily showing a lot of respect themselves. Have you ever noticed that? Some teens want complete autonomy over their personal lives, they want their parents out of their lives and all that but they miss this important truth... You have to give respect to get respect. Proverbs 28:14 says that you will be happy in life if you give respect. It doesn't say that you will be happy in life if you get respect. Showing respect is part of a happy life. The verse goes on to say that if we "harden your hearts" then we will fall into trouble.

Respect, like money, is hard to get but easy to lose. God asks us to be respectful. Even when things get hard, character matters. Jesus, our example in all things, showed respect for even societies outcasts. If Jesus did it, so should we.

Now go get on with those chores that you are supposed to be doing! Being humble and respectful is such a powerful combination for good. Try it.

You've been equipped. Eph. 4:11-13
-Jeremy