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.