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 waiting to
order. His ears had been gauged, but he had taken out the gauges. This had
left huge holes in his ear lobes. Although I found it a bit unsightly, I just
decided to look at something else. However, a 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. Then 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 criticize someone else’s ears publicly. It was mean spirited and wrong.
As I continued to eat my meal, I
overheard two older ladies conversing about a politician. In my opinion, the
statements were accurate, but I did not know the women and kept my opinions to
myself. Suddenly another man jumped up, ran over to the women, and began
screaming at them about how the previous politician in that office was far
worse than the current one. The women were quite taken aback 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 women – and
the rest of us - 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 one another. 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 one another more and demonstrate our faith in how
we treat every person. Amen.
This post is an excerpt from the book, The Heavenly Mundane: Daily
Devotions from Ordinary Experiences. Filled with stories of how God spoke
in big ways through small events, the book will encourage people to look for
God in the mundane things of life. Great for both personal use and to give as a
gift to friend, either the print version or the e-book version may be purchased
at this link:
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