R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

Aretha Franklin gave us this wonderful song many years ago with its now dated sound but still powerful sentiment. You know it seems to be missing more than usual. In the past few weeks there was talk about the lack of respect for the Office of the President by the Governor of Arizona (from one picture) the quotes from another candidate saying he “doesn’t care” about the poor, or wealthy. From the context, I think care was the wrong word focused would have been a better choice. Respect seems to be MIA this political season. But not just in politics.

At the work place folks run down the boss or bosses because something was done they did not care for. It becomes personal all too quickly with name calling and general ugliness unleashed by the smallest of organs, the tongue. Words flying about like feathers from a pillow ripped open in a town square on a windy afternoon, the can never be recovered completely. The damage is done but to whom? Respect missing in action.

At home it creeps up in conversations between spouses, children etc. The general lack of respect by children to any adult is appalling. But, adults they learned it from us. Do they hear us run down others with no respect? Husbands do you talk of your wife with terms that lack respect?  Wives, do you speak of your husband in tones of contempt to friends or before the children? I know sometimes our spouse just do and say crazy things but is that your excuse for nor respect?

I realize our worlds of politics, work and homes are filled with folks who deserve no respect by their own actions or lack thereof. Those folks are just not respectable in words or deed but is that reason enough for us to disrespect them either in front of their face or behind their back? HUH? The Apostle Peter tells us No, there is a better way.

Towards government and those in authority Peter writes: (1 Peter 2:13 The Message)

¹³Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order.

Towards our bosses/masters: (1 Peter 2:18 The Message)

¹⁸You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones.

Towards those in our homes: (1 Peter 3:1,7,8-9 The Message)

¹The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs.  

⁷The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them.

^8-9Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.  

That says it all. R-E-S-P-E-C-T we do it because we have been bought and paid for at a high price Jesus.