How We Treat People is Important

Luke 6:31 - Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

The local McDonalds can reveal a lot about human nature. While eating a Big Mac I once observed two arguments between complete strangers. In the first situation a young man was in line ordering. He had his ears gauged but had taken the gauges out. This left huge holes in his ear lobes. I found it a bit unsightly but just decided to look at something else. The man in the next line over started making cruel comments. He called the boy's ears disgusting. He went on to say that he thought it was wrong for the boy to expect us to eat after looking at his ears. The boy made some comments back. I feared they would come to blows. Finally, the boy took his order and left in anger. Though I did not care for his ears either, I was shocked that a complete stranger assumed the right to comment on someone else’s ears publicly. It was mean spirited and wrong.

As I continued to eat my meal, I overhead two older ladies conversing about a politician. In my opinion, the statements were accurate, but I did not know the ladies and kept my opinions to myself. Suddenly another man jumped up and ran over to the ladies screaming at them about how the previous politician in that office was far worse than the current one. The ladies were quite taken about by his brash interruption into their private conversation. They responded by saying they disagreed with the man. But he went on and on, berating them for their opinions. Finally he stormed out of the building leaving the two ladies speechless.

As I reflect on these experiences, it seems odd that complete strangers treated each other this way. Why did they feel compelled to verbally harass others about things that really were none of their business?  What made them think causing a scene was acceptable? Something has happened to our society when such behavior has become common. As Christians, we must learn to set an example for how people should treat each other. We may not like how others are dressed, or what they have done to their bodies, or the political opinions they may share, but we should treat those around us with respect and dignity as people created in the image of God.

Lord, help us all learn to respect each other more and demonstrate our faith in how we treat each other. Amen.

This devotional is from the book “Heavenly Mundane” by Dr. Terry W. Dorsett. Dr. Dorsett has been a pastor, church planter, denominational leader and author in New England for more than 20 years. He is a happy husband, a proud father and adoring grandfather. He is a cancer survivor and believes that God works powerfully through times of suffering. He writes extensively and you can find all of his books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Terry-W.-Dorsett/e/B00405U4NY