#2028 – Greater Respect

Good morning people who are teachable and grateful

One of the greatest gifts we have is people who are older than us and who have so much to teach us. Yet unfortunately we live in a time where older people are disrespected more than they are valued and esteemed. This ought not to be.

I am so incredibly grateful for so many people who show me the way. One of them has been my mentor and friend for many years now and his name is Graeme Cann. He has empowered my life more than words can say. He has given me direction as well as rebuke and I equally value both of these. I have grown because of Graeme Cann.

My parents are the other two people who have shown me the way to go. Again, they have given me direction and rebuked me when I have needed it. Again, I am so thankful for both mum and dad.

My friends, we do not grow when we just hear what we want to hear, but we grow greatly when we listen to what we need to hear. The reality is, spiritual leaders – spiritual fathers, spiritual mothers, spiritual mentors – are more likely to speak the truth to us in love than our friends.

More mature people, both in age and wisdom, are people who should receive our highest respect, honour and esteem. And so this year, I’m going to invite you, in fact, I’m going to challenge you, to increase your respect and esteem of people who are older than yourself. I’m going to ask you to think of ways to show them honour. I’m going to ask you to catch up with them more frequently and listen to them. I’m sure you know lots, but I’m convinced you have lots more to learn, just like I do. So let’s be wise. Let’s be teachable. Let’s learn. Let’s grow. Let’s respect.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV) Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.