R is for Rude

[Love] "... is not proud. It does not dishonor others..."(1 Corinthians 13: 4b NIV). Some versions say, "rude" instead of "dishonor others." When I read this in the NIV, I had to step back. I think it really exposes the heart of what it means to be rude. When people are rude, they show a high disregard for others. It's interesting that pride and being rude are mentioned together. Pride is an inflated view of self-worth while being rude involves devaluing someone else's worth through word and/or actions.

This speaks volumes to today's society. The sad fact is being rude... dishonoring others, is chic. Whether you're on the right, left, or somewhere in between, people think nothing of treating the "enemy" as less than human... disposable garbage... not able to be recycled. Even some in the Christian community, who believe all people are created in the image of God, curse those who don't hold to their view and rejoice in their demise.

Bottom line is ALL life is precious because all life comes from the Creator. Treating others as we would like to be treated is how we were wired to live. Doing otherwise only leads to suffering and ultimately death... whether it be physical, relational, social, etc. . Jesus came to give life and that life starts with love. My prayer is that I would lay aside being defensive, proud, and rude and pick up Christ's love for others, knowing that I'm only passing on a gift I have been given by the Creator of the Universe.

Love doesn't envy or boast...

The third characteristic in our, "Love is..." series is, "... love does not envy or boast..." The Google definition of envy is, " a feeling of discontentment or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck." To boast means to "talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities." (Google). In both cases, the heart of these two characteristics are the same... self. To envy or boast is to put the focus on self ahead of others. It's wanting to be in the limelight... number one. This is not love.

Of course we are encouraged in the Bible to do our best in whatever we do, but we are to do it for the glory of God, not our glory. It is to show God's goodness to other's for the purpose of leading them towards salvation for their good, not for the purpose of showing off. In fact, this is really the key to this whole series. Love is not self-serving. It looks to advance others before self. It honors others and rejoices when others succeed. Today, what are some ways we can put others before self by showing them God's goodness as we walk like Jesus?

Be kind.

"Be kind." It's a simple statement that, if heeded, would change the world. It's amazing what happens when a person shows another person kindness. Many times hearts are softened, guards come down, and kindness is multiplied. I would even venture to say that it takes less effort to be kind than it does to be cruel, though I don't have research to back it up. One thing I know is kindness sure feels a lot better at the end of the day... not just for the recipient but the giver as well.

So what would happen if we simply show kindness to those around us... no matter if they "deserve it" or not. How about it? We don't have to wait for someone to be kind to us to be kind to them. Be kind. That statement doesn't say, "Be kind, IF..." It just says, "Be kind... period!" The neat thing about kindness is it spreads like crazy when it's planted in others. Here, in the midst of winter, start a garden of kindness, stand back and watch it grow.