I get frustrated! I mean, really frustrated! Let's start with today and work backward...stay with me here.
I own a 1991 Honda Civic. I love this little blue car. It looks just like the car in the freecreditreport.com commercial.
At 40+ mpg, what is not to love. Anyhow, the bumper rusted off one of the brackets and it was hanging there. So, I became frustrated...mad...and I said somethings that I ought not have said...no I didn't cuss it out or even cuss at all. I just got frustrated and let it get to me.
Yesterday. I rode home from a camp for High School kids that was held in Virginia. Long ride, in a van, with teenage kids...enough said.
Thursday. During the evening service, I started to lose my cool with another adult concerning the legalistic ideas she expressed about worship and how things "need" to be done. Earlier in the day, a fellow pastor, had, in my mind, disrespected me for the upteenth time that week. In general, by Thursday, people were getting on my nerves...not all people, just some. And here is why.
I believe in the Bible. I really believe it is the inspired Word of God...no exceptions! If it is in the Scriptures, it is truth. That being said, please read the following portion of Scripture and then listen to the rest of the story.
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 ?Honor your father and mother.? This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, ?things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.?[b] 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. 9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don?t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites. (New Living Translation) The word "Slaves" here is a little bit of a harsh word. What this portion of Scripture is saying is this... We all have earthly masters, those who are put in authority over us in one way or another, there is someone over us. We are to respect them, when they are watching and when they are not watching, because is ALWAYS watching. For example, my earthly master would be my District Superintendent. If he were to ask me to consider taking a church, then that is what I should do. I should pray about it and meditate on His Word, seeking the face of God for direction. Maybe you work in a store, your manager would be your earthly master. You are to work for that person as though you are working for the Lord. Because it is He who placed that person in authority over you and we are instructed to work hard and in that is a hearty "be respectful" also. To disrespect the earthly authority placed over you is to disrespect God Almighty. Let's just say this. The two people that caused me so much grieve by bossing me around, disrespected someone in authority over them on more than one occasion to me. Sometimes it was an undertone, sometimes it was very blatant and mean. This is what made me mad, and I have had a hard time getting over it. This is unacceptable to me and I won't have it anymore. Truth of the matter is it shouldn't be bothering me still today, but it is. I am shocked at the total disregard to Scripture.
I want to make one thing perfectly clear here...these two people bossing me around, have no authority over me in any capacity and I have no authority over them...I am just venting here on this BLOG.
So, Here's The Thought... When your "boss" or authority comes into the room, and you might be mad at him...don't mumble under your breath and leave. Don't make snide remarks behind his back and then "love" him to his face.
RESPECT. If you want it. GIVE IT. Dear God, Help me to respect others, obey authority, and live at peace with all men. Amen. |
back to top
