"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, that's what this means to me (sorry, ppl, I had to do -it: Aretha Franklin)." She made a valid point when she sang those lyrics. Respect is key to our livelihood, welfare, and being. Showing respect and being respected (for the right things) will take us a long way. Showing disrespect and being disrespected is just a pathway way to a whole bunch of nonsense. This is a trait the Lord Jesus Christ implemented in His thoughts, words, and actions. No matter how many people hated Him and wanted Him dead, He stood up for truth. He didn't compromise. No matter how much His enemies hated Him, they respected Him because He stood for what was right. Respect is the other side of walking in truth. It's about integrity and honesty. The great Machiavelli wrote, "it's better to be feared than loved." I have a better quote. "It's better to be hated than respected than to be liked and not respected." These days we're living in, the word respect is losing it's value. We have turned into a people who thrive on disrespect, other each other and God Himself. So today, I've a list little list concerning what respect really is:
Respect is giving honor to where honor's due. Respect is being on time for our jobs or being at an event we tell others we're going to be a part of. Respect is saying yes sir or no ma'am, no matter a person's age, background, religion, or creed. Respect is children not sticking their nose in grown folks' business. Respect is being polite to those who are destitute; be it may that they are homeless, on an addiction, or going through hard times. Respect is still being hospitable to our enemies through sincere acts of love for their well-being and not to get back at them. Respect is training people, whether it's an incoming employee or a high school thorough the various pearls of wisdom the right way. This way, they are set up for a great platform of success. Respect are husbands stopping their chauvinism of being a "man's man" and listening to their wives when they warn of making bad decisions (better ask Pontius Pilate-Matthew 27:19). Respect is men ceasing the exploitation women's chest size, waistline, and backsides in their lyrics, videos, and whatever forms of media being used. Respect is not busting into someone else's personal space, especially if their in a time of re-prioritizing their lives. Respect is politicians being representatives of the people, which includes speaking on various topics negatively affecting them, instead of fulfilling their own personal agendas. Respect is parents telling their kids the good, the bad, and the ugly to help their kids understand life rather than build a perfection example; which damages their kids' future. Respect is controlling our language (cursing) because it degrades us , others, and creates a hostile environment. Respect is holding rallies outside of some body's business because they made a statement concerning about our lifestyle that is wrong in God's sight (Chick-Fil-A vs. LGBT movements: yeah, I said it!). Respect is this nation as a whole remembering those who served this country and instead of throwing them away in memory because they no longer serve in the Armed Forces (vets, I got you!). Respect is listening when the elders talk to us about how we should handle things through sharing hard lessons they experienced in their past instead of ignoring them! Respect is praying for others who may be in a bad state in their lives instead of gossiping about them. Respect is being concerned for the less fortunate instead of waving around our material possessions in their face. Respect is thinking twice about ruining or ending someone else's life over something that's temporal. Respect is telling people how you really feel about them instead of smiling in their face but stabbing them in their back. Respect is supporting those who are doing a good work instead of tearing them down. Respect is knowing you are telling the truth and not backing down because a group of people (who know what they're doing is wrong) state otherwise. Respect is still performing a task and treating others with respect when we are going through tough times in our lives. Respect, which is the ultimate form, is thanking God for everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly instead of dissing Him because He doesn't do the following:
-agree with a lifestyle that is dead wrong
-bless us with things instantly like a microwaveable meal
-allows bad things to happen in life, which are allowed to turn our attention to Him
I truly hope this is a help to all of us. We've got to get back to respect, my friends. Without it, we aren't going anywhere. In closing, my cuzo Gabe Williams said this to me a couple of weeks ago:
"Respect takes us a long way but disrespect closes the doors of success and favor."
Amen to that. Til next time, dgwo.
Reference:
Study the life of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John)
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