Respect

A barley plant is ripe for harvest when it’s seed head droops low, and bows forward.  The bow is also foundational in some cultures, symbolizing respect and honor.

We can posture our hearts, like the barley plant, and show respect to others.  To respect is  “to have due regard,  proper care, and concern, for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.”

When we respect someone, we value and listen to them.  When we disrespect someone, we show a “lack of courtesy.”  We can’t respect and disrespect at the same time.   James 3:10-11 says “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”  Disrespect muddies the water of respect.  What is flowing out of us towards others?  

We can turn the tide when we sow seeds of respect. Everything listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 that the Lord hates and is an abomination to Him can be eliminated when we truly have respect for others:   When we respect, we won’t be prideful and exalt ourselves, but will lift others up and put them first.  We won’t lie to them, or murder the innocent. Our hearts will be honest and truthful and we will walk uprightly, and not run to evil.  We will speak the truth, not falsehood or sow discord. 

Respect is bred and grows in the soil of love.  1 John 4:20 says ” If someone says, ” I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen how can he love God who he has not seen?”  Love is foundational for respect.

We don’t have to agree with someone to respect them.  It is easy to respect someone you agree with, but how about respecting someone different from you? 

Just as the barley plant grows in good soil and bows when it reaches maturity, we too can show signs of maturity in our faith when our hearts bow in respect for one another’s “feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions.”