R.E.S.P.E.C.T. find out what it means to me!

This morning during our daily car ride to school, my oldest mentioned today was the inauguration of our new president and more than likely they would discuss it in class.  I asked her what she thought about that.  After she paused to think for a few moments she said she was excited but also sad.  “Sad? Why?” I questioned her. 

“Because I liked our last president.” 

Now, mind you, my oldest has little reference as to what makes a good president.  She, like most children, frames her beliefs around what she hears in the home.  That may sound like she liked our previous president because she heard daily adoration for president coming from her parents. 

As I continued to drive towards school, I carefully thought of how to respond to her statement.  I gave my response careful consideration because I knew that she would most definitely repeat my words.

Finally, I answered with, “What you felt for our previous president was respect.  You feel this way because we are called to respect the leaders the Lord has placed over us.”  I didn’t expect my daughter to have a powerful “lightbulb” moment on our way to school, she simply nodded her head and continued to look at the window. 

No doubt, as she exited our family van and walked with her sister into school, this conversation drifted away from her, to be filed into the outer edges of her brain.  The file called “Things Mom Tells Me Too Early in The Morning.” 

But, as I watched my kids walk into school, I sat there thinking about our exchange. 

 

Respect.  What is respect really? 

The dictionary has quite a list of various definitions.  Esteem for a sense of worth.  Deference to a privileged position.  To honor, to show favor.

All these definitions would fit for why we “respect” leaders.  But respect shouldn’t simply be reserved for places of honor. 

Respect: to show regard or consideration for.  Now, this definition seemed to fit into my mental puzzle most snuggly this morning. 

Yet, my brain didn’t stop with simply defining respect.  No, the wheels began to turn, especially after my second cup of morning coffee. 

Does respect mean agreement?  Is respect only granted when earned?  How is respect earned?  How is respect lost? 

Let’s start with respect and agreement.  In my quick dictionary scan no where did I see agreement coming up to define respect.  It is not even listed in the thesaurus.  So, no.  Respect does not mean agreeing.  In application to my morning conversation, I could say to respect our president, past and present, does not mean you must agree with them.  Likewise, disagreeing does not necessarily mean disrespect.

What about respect needing to be earned?  Again, I did not find any particular action being a prerequisite of respect.  Can respect be earned?  No doubt!  I would even venture to say in this day and age more often than not people only give respect after it has been earned.  But, again, that isn’t required. 

How do we see people earn respect?  Oh, so many ways.  For me, when I see a mom skillfully handle a toddler that has suddenly become possessed by a fire breathing dragon while waiting in the grocery store check out line.  Wow, respect mom!  I see you!  Will you be my friend? 

Lastly, how is respect lost?  Let me count the ways…just kidding.  You would be reading a long list.  But, after such a year as 2020 was, I do know that respect is lost through having differing opinions.  Why?  Again, respect does not mean agreement. 

Peter writes to Christians in his first epistle during a very tumultuous time.  Nero was the ruler of Rome, and he waged great persecution on the Christian church in Rome.  It is believed that Nero set fire to Rome in 65 A.D. and then blamed Christians for the chaos and destruction.  Peter was even executed by Nero in 68 A.D.  Knowing this, we could assume that Peter may have had some fiery words for Nero.  However, Peter wrote quite the opposite.

1 Peter 2:11-12

“Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when He appears.” 

Wow.  But Peter just meant treat other normal people this way, right?  Surely, he didn’t mean “bad” leaders, too. 

Wrong.  He follows this up with verses 13-17:

“Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good.  For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.  Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s servants.  Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.”

Peter did not leave much wiggle room here.  He also didn’t mention the need to agree in order to do any of these things. 

Again, Peter reiterates this message in 1 Peter 3:

“Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate and humble.  Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.” (vs.8-9)

All of Peter’s words give me pangs of conviction, but none more than verses 15-17:

“But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.  Yet, do it with courtesy and RESPECT, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.” 

Not only does Peter call Christians, who are enduring enormous persecution for their faith, to remain above reproach to bring glory to God, to be subject to the authorities placed over them, whoever they are, Peter calls Christians to be respectful in how they respond to those who question the source of their hope. 

Now, I am no theologian nor am I gifted in hermeneutics.  These are words that I can barely spell without auto-correct!  But I do believe Peter is also writing to Christians today. 

Literally, today.  As a new president is sworn into office over America. 

How should we, as Christians, respond?  With respect.  With humility.  With a focus on our actions and how the world sees us.  Believe me, the world is watching.  Should we be chomping at the bit to voice our disagreements, displeasure, maybe even fear?  That desire is strong for all people, including Christians.  But we are called to something higher than making sure our political voices are being heard.  We are called to love, to be humble, to meet evil with good.  Then, when our actions become so alien to what the world does, Peter did call us foreigners after all, that we are asked why we are different – be ready!  Not with all the reasons why we are dissatisfied with how the world is today.  No, be ready with the hope we have in Christ! 

 

My prayer is that in four years, as I am driving my daughter to, GULP, high school, we will have this conversation again.  Not only do I hope we have this conversation again in four years, about respecting our leaders, but I pray that my child, my neighbor, the nameless people I encounter daily, will see me living out a life of respect and humility.  To the leaders the Lord has placed over me and to all people the Lord places in my path. 

That is a big prayer.  But the Lord loves big prayers!