I have noticed lately just how little people think of each other. They refuse to even acknowledge another human being passing them. They don’t see the point in looking at the wait staff, because they’re just the waiter after all, and they think of themselves as more important than someone else because of their name, how much money they make, their academic achievements, whether they are the appropriate gender, etc., or they are just too wrapped up in their own lives to take the time to notice someone else. It is so sad to see as well as experience. God created us because He loves us.
God created all of us, male and female, in His own image (Gen. 1:27). He loves us so much that He made us to be like Him. It has no bearing on anything this world says or believes. God created us and He loves us with a love so strong that He sent His own Son (John 3:16) to teach us of His great love and to die for our sins. All of this was so we can be with Him in Heaven and so that we have direct access to Him at all times. One of the most tender expressions of His love for me is Zephaniah 3:17 – “He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Just as a mother disciplines and rebukes our bad choices and then at night sings a lullaby over us, God does the same for us! That is so beautiful!
But we seem to forget that this applies to everyone. Every single person is valuable in God’s eyes. He wants for none of us to perish and all to come to Him in repentance (2 Peter 3:9). We should, at the very least, treat people we meet, no matter who they are or their position, with respect. As the Bible says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). It doesn’t mean you have to be best friends with them or plan outings with them. It is simply showing others that their lives count just as yours does.
We should also prayerfully consider our words carefully. Something thrown out in anger, frustration or hurt can stick with someone for years. It’s been said that it takes 10 positive comments to combat one negative comment. That’s huge. But if we eagerly look to serve others and care for who they are, we can make a difference in their moment, day or even life. I have heard of people who have decided to not commit suicide just because someone smiled at them and said “Hello”. They were shown by one kind act of another person acknowledging them that they mattered. It seems so trivial, but to someone who has been knocked down so often, it can mean the world to them. Everyone is worth that.
Does this mean that we, then, need to be working towards friendship and perfect relationships with everyone? No. Not everyone is meant to be our best friends or even friends. People come into and out of our lives at different seasons. That’s perfectly fine and the way life is. However, some people are not safe to be around for different reasons but usually because they are abusive physically, emotionally, spiritually and/or verbally. When you have a relationship that includes any kind of abuse, there needs to be much prayer in deciding what steps to take in protecting yourself and whether the relationship is something you should even keep. If you are married, seeking good Godly counsel is essential. If you are in a physically abusive relationship and your &/or your children’s lives are in danger, leave immediately, then seek Godly counsel in prayer.
However, for the majority of interactions we have in a day, people are worth your smile, a kind comment or even a conversation, depending on the circumstance. Something so simple is a gift to another human being and will even make you feel better, too!
~ Joanna Lynn
