Every weekend, the previous week’s prayer requests sent to Crossroad are forwarded to hundreds of intercessors. Pages and pages of requests. Many people who are in trouble. Often as the result of what other people did.

I wonder what God does when people make such a mess. I wonder what his heart feels like when He sees one of his children is destroying lives. I wonder why He doesn’t intervene.

But with a shock I look at my own life and wonder where I might’ve moved too quickly, making decisions that had a negative impact on the lives of other people. We so easily make decisions and do what we want to do, we may even think it is right, but the consequences in the lives of other people are not so good.

We must intentionally try to live within the boundaries. We must intentionally try to live right. We must really try to do good and to make a difference in the lives of others.

Take note of this encouragement: ¹Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. You and I must live in a way that will earn the respect of others.

Years ago, we wore the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) armbands. I saw the other day that one of my friends was still wearing his. I struggled a bit with wearing the arm band; it was just too higher grade for me. As if the footsteps were too big to follow.

Maybe this respect challenge is closer and easier for me to follow. You see, I have a good idea what puts respect in someone else’s eyes:

• People that always address others politely, even though they do not necessarily agree with the other person’s point of view.
• People that even though they are exhausted, still get up and help someone else.
• The motorcyclist who stops at the pedestrian crossing, gets off his bike and helps an older woman cross the road.
• The businessman who gives some of his valuable time to help another struggling business.
• A little boy who sells things on the street to buy food for other people’s neglected animals.
• My friend who holds back for the taxi that cuts in front of him, because the taxi transports many more people than him sitting alone in his huge SUV.
• The IT guy with the bad haircut sitting calmly explaining to a senior woman how Facebook works.
• The guy standing in line to donate blood, because it’s the right thing to do.
• The guy who struggles, but still gives something every month to alleviate the need of others who are struggling too.
• The woman passionately shaking her sign protesting against people who are destroying our world and nature.
• The old man asleep at the airport, waiting for his connecting flight on returning from a few months in the mission field.

They earn respect. We must do it too. We must live in a way that others will respect us for what we do.

Scripture
Titus 2:1-5

Reflection
Do others respect you?
What can you do differently so that others can respect you?
What can you do to make life better for someone else?

Prayer
Father, I know I have to do some things differently. I know that sometimes I do things that do not earn the respect of others. Please help me! Amen.