Being polite and courteous should be a Christian virtue. If you are a 'representative' or 'ambassador' for Christ you should do all you can to present the Lord in a favorable light.You do not want things you do to 'aggravate or alienate the masses' so to speak.
In todays' world there are these pesky little communication devices called cell phones which seem to rule our lives. Wherever we go it seems we see people that can not be separated from their precious little phone to the extent of being rude to those who are with them or others around them.These little devices may be convenient but they cause a great deal of rudeness that was not present, in say, the late 70's. Not everyone wants to hear your conversation. It is just common courtesy to not be talking on these when in line at the bank or cleaners, at the check out line at the grocery or say when the waitress is taking your order. Calls can wait and you can call back.
Character used to be taught in the public schools back when I was growing up. In addition to the school system, the parents were responsible to instill values and discipline in their children and also appreciated when strangers made corrections as well. My, have times changed! Now we can not pray in school nor can the Ten Commandments be posted. Parents become defensive if anyone dare to correct their sweet child. Not all children, but many today are unthankful and rude. Since we no longer have God's word as a guide in our schools parents need to 'step to the plate' or we will have a bunch of unruly citizens on our hands some day. If children are not taught the word of the Lord and respect for their fellow man and discipline it will be hard to establish good boundaries later in life.
The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 to "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Also another verse says "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." (Proverbs 29:15).
The title of today's devotion came from something my pastor at Word of Grace in Mesa, Arizona said back in the late 90's. During the service a woman on her cell phone took a call and got up and walked down the middle aisle of this mega church talking on her phone.The pastor says "unless that is God calling will you have them call you back after the service?" Very tactful and it got the point across.
I use cellphones as a major example in this devotion, since we can not seem to be without them. Try it though sometime. It is nice to go somewhere and not think we have to be constantly connected. What did folks do 'back in the day' when they could not find you for 5 minutes? Oh my, life did go on. So how about you? Do you chat on your phone for all to hear?Do you cut drivers off on the highway? Do you treat waiters rude? Do you interrupt others? What we need to do is act as if God is watching at all times because in fact , he is.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)
PRAYER: Dear Lord thank you for the blessing of having a cell phone and other modern conveniences. Help me to not be rude with my phone. Help me to learn to turn it off sometimes and enjoy peace. Father I thank you for how I was raised to respect others. I pray Lord you will help me wherever I go to think of others before myself. Help me be a excellent representative for you wherever I go today and every day. In Jesus name,Amen.
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