Honor one another above yourselves may come easy to some and may be hard for others. Today, let’s focus on how and why we honor others. Let’s remember and implement the value of honor.
Veterans Day
Today is an American federal holiday. It’s Veterans Day. A day set apart for honoring all veterans of the United States Armed Forces for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
It is a day we remember to show our appreciation of their value to our country and our lives. There are many people I personally know who are veterans: my brother, nephews, uncles, father-in-law, coworkers, and neighbors. The list goes on.
I have great gratitude for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country. Because of all veterans from all of history, we benefit today. In fact, I personally benefit. I honor them because it is the right thing to do, and I feel deep passion to do so.
Who Else Do We Honor?
How often are we honoring others in our lives? The Bible is clear that we are to honor everyone (1 Peter 2:17). That includes:
- our father and mother (Exodus 20:12)
- our spouse (1 Peter 3:7, Ephesians 5:33)
- the elderly (Leviticus 19:32)
- our church leaders (1 Timothy 5:17), and last but not least,
- God Himself (Deuteronomy 6:13).
The Bible does not say to only honor others when we feel like it, if they treat us in a certain way, or if we only agree with them. We are to honor others period.
Honor means to value, to highly esteem, to treat as precious.
Therefore, when the Bible instructs to honor others, it means we are to treat them as precious and valuable. We are to treat them with high esteem. Moreso, we are to value others above ourselves.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10, NIV
Three Challenges
Today, I challenge us to something new for the November New Challenge.
First Challenge
Let’s honor someone.
Reach out to someone and let them know you appreciate them. For example, show kindness to a veteran, your spouse, neighbor, or parents. Consider sacrificing something for someone else, such as your time.
Time seems to be the most expensive commodity in most people’s lives these days. Did you know you can show great honor to someone else by sharing your time with them?
How about put your phone down while you are in the presence of others. Guess what? That phone is not going anywhere, but the people in your life may.
On the flip side of that, how about use your phone to call someone. Let them hear your voice. That’s novel idea these days. Or FaceTime them and show your beautiful face too while you talk with them.
Second Challenge
Here’s the second challenge, prepare to honor someone you find difficult. Can you set aside your own agenda, preferences, and ideas, to just listen to the other person? No comebacks, just listen to understand. Honor them above your own wants and needs.
American psychologist Carl R. Rogers said,
“We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.”
See what God can do in and through us by honoring someone above ourselves by listening to them. We don’t need to get our point of view across all the time or be heard all the time. Sometimes the more important thing is to hear someone else and truly gain understanding from their perspective.
Choosing to honor one another above yourself takes courage, humility, and trusting that God will help you. Sometimes honoring others is choosing to just listen to them.
Third Challenge
Honor yourself.
First Thessalonians 4:4 instructs “that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” I know I’ve been writing about honoring others, but I think some of us don’t include ourselves in the “everyone.” God clearly wants us included in His everyone.
If there is one thing you can change to enjoy better health or a better relationship with someone, ask God to give you a fresh, new thought how to do that. Expect Him to answer.
I mentioned in Three Steps to Form New Habits that I have given up caffeine and alcohol this year. The purpose of the sacrifice and change was to better my health. It has been a way to honor my body. When we honor how we treat our own body, mind, soul, and spirit, there is ripple effect on how we can have more capacity to honor and benefit others.
This week a friend and her husband shared with me that they decided to remove both Facebook and Instagram apps from their phones so that they would honor both their time and presence. Choosing to implement this new habit helps honor themselves, each other, and their family. It’s not an easy thing to do. In fact, it’s hard to disconnect from social media. But they determined it is a good way right now to bring honor into their daily lives. And everyone benefits by this sacrifice.
Honor One Another Above Yourselves
Honor one another above yourselves may come easy to some and may be hard for others. Regardless, we are to commit our ways to the Lord’s ways. He’s very clear that we are to honor one another above ourselves. When we do, everyone benefits.
Blessing
May we choose to honor someone today. May we appreciate those who God has placed in our lives. May we highly esteem those people in our lives: parents, spouse, leadership, the elderly, nieghbors, children, and mostly God Himself. And may we feel a deep passion to honor others.
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