Bible Reading: Romans 12:9-10
Take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10
CHIP AND DALE are two cartoon chipmunks.
They’re cute, lovable little fellows. They giggle. They scamper. They get into trouble. They get mad at each other. They make up. They’re the best of friends.
When you notice how they sometimes behave toward each other, you know why they seem so close.
Have you ever seen them enter a doorway? Chip will stand aside and say something like, “After you.”
Dale will smile and answer, “Oh no, I insist. You first.”
“Oh no no no no no,” Chip will say with a dramatic bow. “You first.”
And so it goes, each one seeming to take delight in honoring the other.
We should all be more like Chip and Dale. For several reasons. First, because the Bible says we should be like Chip and Dale. Not in so many words, of course; the Bible was written long before cartoons were invented. But the Bible does say, “Show respect for everyone” (1 Peter 2:17) and “Take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:10).
But there’s another reason too: Respect encourages healthy relationships. If Chip and Dale weren’t so respectful, they probably wouldn’t be such lovable creatures. If they didn’t treat each other with kindness and respect, they probably wouldn’t get along so well.
Think about it. Who would you choose to hang around with: someone who calls you names or someone who is polite to you? Who would you want to spend more time with: someone who treats you like dirt or someone who treats you with respect? Who would you want to be your friend: someone who insists on going first every time or someone who stands aside and says, “After you”?
Most friendships won’t last very long without respect because respect is an important ingredient of a good relationship. Respect helps to build strong, healthy relationships; disrespect usually destroys relationships.
So take a lesson from Chip and Dale and from the Bible: “Take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:10).
REFLECT: Do you like being around people who treat you disrespectfully? Why or why not? Do you have any “friends” who treat you disrespectfully? Do you treat any of your friends disrespectfully? Why or why not? Do you want respect to be an ingredient in your friendships? If so, how can you make that happen?
PRAY: “Lord, I want to treat all my friends and family with respect. Help me to change the way I’ve been treating______________________ and to make respect an ingredient of all my friendships.”
