As I stood in line at the grocery store, I was getting pretty irritated because of what the older man in front of me was doing. I was complaining and feeling annoyed because he was wasting my time. Why can't he just get with the new norm?! Why does he have to be such a rebel?! Isn’t it easier to just go with the flow, so everyone around him doesn't have to be affected by his rebellion? He’s got absolutely no respect or concern for how others feel! This should have been taken care of long ago! Why won’t he just comply?!
You’re probably wondering what this guy was or was not doing. Was he not wearing a mask? Was he not wearing gloves? What would cause this old guy to push back and think he can do whatever he wants to do...and the heck with the rest of us!
How about all the criticism he must get for doing what he’s doing! The nasty looks and judgmental attitudes of those he’s holding up! Maybe he’s thinking, “Why can't they just let me do things my way? Why do they have to be so upset by my choice to do things how I want?”
What was this man doing that got me so irritated? He was simply writing a check for $3.50 worth of stuff!! Can you believe it? A check!
I think you can see that the man wasn't the one with the problem. It’s me who has the problem. Me and many like me! Why do we get so upset and try to force others to comply just so we won't be inconvenienced and can get what we want?
That man has every right to pay with a check, whenever and wherever he chooses! What gives me the right to give him judgmental, harsh looks with a critical attitude for simply exercising his right to write a check?
What gives any of us the right to do the same to those who choose to exercise their right to live as they choose? What gives anybody the right to demand others comply with how we want them to behave?
That man writing that check, revealed to me I need to slow down, and respect that others have the right to do things the way they choose, WITHOUT the judgmental, negative, demeaning attitudes I can give simply because they may do things a bit differently than I do.
Phillipians 2:3-4 tells us to, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also the interests of others.”
It is natural to seek out our own interests, but we should have high regard for others interests while doing so. The Bible even we should consider others more significantly that we consider ourselves. A judgmental attitude can be one symptom of a selfish attitude. When we imitate Christ’s humility, as described in Philippians Ch 2, we will be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
Grace and peace be with you.
Kevin Weston 06-06-2020
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