A thought by Max Lucado from his book, How Happiness Happens (p. 62). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book
title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
Ok, so what do we need and ultimatum on? What is it?
Max says, “Oh, the ‘rages’ that rage
through people: road rage, airline passenger rage, cell phone rage, checkout
rage, social media rage, sideline rage, parking lot rage, car alarm rage, and
even rage from drivers who honk at people on crutches.”
He goes on, “Social media takes rage
to a new level. The online banter blisters and bruises. Words we might never
say to a person’s face, we feel safe to post on the internet. Rudeness has
reached the point where we can all relate to the sign I saw in a medical lab: ‘If
you are grouchy, rude, impatient, or inconsiderate, there will be a $10 charge
just for putting up with you.’
“Yes, a tariff on tackiness has its
appeal. A more practical response might be the one suggested by the apostle
Paul: ‘Greet one another with a holy kiss’ (Rom. 16:16).
“Paul gave identical instructions to
other churches. Twice to the Corinthians: ‘Give each other a holy kiss when you
meet’ (1 Cor. 16:20 NCV), and ‘Greet each other with a holy kiss’ (2 Cor. 13:12
NCV). Then to the Thessalonians: ‘Give each other a holy kiss when you meet’ (1
Thess. 5:26 NCV).
“Peter
flew the friendliness flag as well. ‘Greet one another with a kiss of love’ (1
Peter 5:14).”
Max continues, “Why the big deal? Why
should we be careful to greet one another?
Well, he says, “Greet one another for
your own sake. Experience the joy of
showing people they matter.
“Greet each other for their own
sake. What is small to you may be huge
to them.
“Most of all, greet one another for
Jesus's sake.”
Later Max says, “By the way, the
greatest greeting in history has yet to be given. And you can be certain that
salutation won’t be heard over a phone or through an email. The greatest of
greetings will be issued by Jesus to you in person. ‘You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I
will let you care for much greater things.
Come and share my joy with me.’ (Matt. 25:23 NCV)”
I think Jesus is serious about how we
greet each other. Now in our society, a
kiss may not be the way we do it but greeting others in some way is so very important.
My wife for a period of time was responsible
for over 100 people and she tried to go around every morning to greet each one
of them. By doing that she showed them
that they mattered, that they were important to her and to the company they
worked for.
You see, don’t you, that when you reach
out and greet people even if it is just a smile you are doing it for their
sake, your sake, and Christ’s sake? It
matters, doesn’t it?
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