In his book Faith at the Edge, philosopher Robert Wennberg describes attending a small church with his students as they traveled through Europe. The students were not greeted warmly by the church members, did not know enough of the language to follow the songs or the sermon, and generally considered their Sunday morning to be a complete waste of time. Wennberg assured them that it wasn’t, for the effort they made to worship with fellow believers was an act of respect toward God.
Wennberg quoted Pascal: “Respect means; put yourself out. . . . It amounts to saying: I should certainly put myself out if you needed it, because I do so when you do not; besides, respect serves to distinguish the great. If respect meant sitting in an armchair we should be showing everyone respect and then there would be no way of marking distinction, but we make the distinction quite clear by putting ourselves out.”
We respect others when we put ourselves out for them. It may be something small, such as standing to our feet when they enter the room, saluting or tipping our hat, or kneeling in front of their wheelchair. It might be huge, as when David’s elite warriors crept behind enemy lines to bring him water from Bethlehem, or when David—overcome by the magnitude of their devotion—poured out the water as a drink offering to the Lord (1 Chronicles 11:17-19).
We respect God when we put ourselves out for Him. We all experience dry spells when the Bible seems irrelevant, our prayers don’t seem to matter, and we’d rather sleep in than go to church. These down times are opportunities to express our allegiance and devotion to God. If we continue to put ourselves out, even when we don’t feel any benefit, we pay God the highest respect.
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 to see how God showed respect to us, and how we might show respect to God and to each other.
Next:
What has God done to show that He respects you? Think of some people who would benefit from your respect. How might you go above and beyond the norm to sacrifice for them?
lindagma on February 25, 2011 at 6:42 am
And it will fall on fertile ground and blossom. “Putting ourselves out” for the Lord will result in a blessing for us…even though you may have to wait to see it…He loves to bless the faithful.
eppistle on February 25, 2011 at 8:04 am
It’s relatively easy to respect others when the respect is reciprocated or rewarded. But the true test of a servant of the Lord is when (s)he is treated as a servant. Are we willing to continue to serve when nobody shows any appreciation? Do we have the humility to say,`We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’? (Luke 17:7-10) If not, we’re serving more for self-centered reasons rather than out of love.
But on the other hand, when we are recipients of servanthood, we must take care not to be guilty of ingratitude. So take the time today to look into the eyes of the people who will serve you (whether your parent, spouse, church leader or clerk) and thank them and compliment them. That way their service to you will be a joy rather than a burden. Because whenever service to you is a burden it is “of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
GrowinginChrist on February 25, 2011 at 8:14 am
This is a good lesson to keep in the front of our minds. Just as Christ came to serve, so must we. We must learn to be the tail and not the head. This is how we show respect to and for the Lord.
Thank You
Be Blessed
pastortoney on March 4, 2011 at 12:44 am
i agree amen
mike wittmer on February 25, 2011 at 9:05 am
Thanks for your insights. Sometimes I become really sad when I think of how God receives so little respect or gratitude from so many who have received so much from his hand. I think it would be terrific if someone would actually try to show God the kind of respect he deserves. And then I wonder why can’t I be that guy?
daisymarygoldr on February 25, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Thanks for this timely post! This is a much needed reminder for me to show God my reverence, which is—to show the highest respect expressed as an act of worship in utmost devotion to God. He deserves nothing less than my life and all. “You get respect when you give it; respect breeds respect”.
David’s elite warriors had risked their lives to satisfy David’s desire to drink—from the well of his hometown, Bethlehem. In turn David did not take their devotion for granted. As a mark of respect to show he greatly valued their lives, David refused to quench his thirst with the water. Instead, he poured it out as a drink offering to worship the Lord.
God risked His life in the person of Jesus Christ. He came to die for me and offered the life giving water of His spirit in order to quench my spiritual thirst. And in response, I will not take Christ’s life in me for granted—and refuse to use my life to satisfy my own pleasure. Instead, I am willing to pour out my life as a drink offering and spend my all—in His service.
It is not going to be easy, but a good example for me to follow is the life of Paul—which he poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of the believers in Philippi (Phil 2:17 NIV)
auvencetri on February 25, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Wow what loyal men. I wish I could be that great of a servant. They risked thier lives. Loyalty can be one of the greatest gifts, and David was a blessed man to have people around him of that ilk.
marvin williams on February 26, 2011 at 12:40 am
Mike, thanks for the nudge to show our respect for God put ourselves out for God. Though we don’t have to do these things to show respect, but removing our shoes when we read Scriptures or pray, kneeling when we pray in private or even public for that matter, or listening more than we speak, may be some practical ways of showing our heavenly Father respect. Again, thanks for making us think.
joo_sg on February 27, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Thanks Marvin and Mike for the much needed reminder. I am for one guilty of being “over-familiar” with God and taking for granted His loving kindness, long-suffering love that endures forever. I must learn not to test the patience of God…
Let us ask God to forgive our sin of presumption (1 Sam 15:23) , and remember that He is all consuming fire. He is heaven and we are on earth. We must learn to let our words be few (Ecc 5:2) and our contemplations of Him more solemn and reverent.