In the 1980’s, my sister and I had the privilege of being the cutely dressed little girls who give flowers to the guest of honour at a government function. In those days it was quite common . . . perhaps even expected by the politicians! So, this one time, my sister and I were giving flowers to a certain well-known cabinet minister. Actually, in the 80’s, all cabinet ministers were well known! But I digress. Unexpectedly, the then Vice-President showed up at the function unannounced. Because there was only one set of flowers, we did an adorable curtsy, and said hello to him; with the flowers out of sight! To my surprise, the Vice-President was quite pleasant to us. He took time to say hello and engage us in a brief conversation before entering the room.
Shortly after, the cabinet minister who was guest of honour showed up. We put on our most charming smiles and presented the bouquet to him. To my surprise, he made no eye contact with us, took the flowers and without glancing at them, passed them on to his aide. Then he kept walking and talking to whoever he was with. Given the Vice-President’s warm acknowledgement, I was upset by this minister’s lack of warmth. As in, he didn’t think we were important enough for him to say hello to!
Fast-forward to a workshop I attended recently. We were given a task that involved reading James 2:1—12. This is how the passage begins:
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism.”
James 2:1 NIV
As soon as I read this, I remembered the 1980s incident. I also had a flash back to earlier that morning when I arrived at the workshop venue. I was driving behind a new, flashy, pearl white Mercedes Benz. Without describing my car (which I happen to love) . . . let’s just say it is nothing like the Benz that was ahead of me 😊. So, I was quite surprised when the hotel doorman directed me to park my car under an attractive car shade while he allowed the Benz to squeeze itself out in the open, under a tree. Now, next to my car were exquisitely engineered cars. Quite unlike my car. Similarly, the Benz was out of place where it was. The treatment I received from the doorman was very uncommon for me!
See, I live in a culture that seems to attach people’s worth to their wealth. The more wealth you have, or even appear to have, the more respectably people treat you. Sadly, this happens even with ushers at church, at family get-togethers or even in schools.
The passage in James goes on to say,
“Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:2-4 NIV
I don’t know about you, but I am guilty of discriminating against people; based on their looks. Sometimes I find myself clutching my bag a little tighter when a less-affluently-dressed person comes close to me. Or flashing a brighter smile to the person who looks like a million dollars. What’s worse, is I don’t have to think about it; it just happens. Almost as though it is engrained in my DNA to act that way. Which is terrible! Especially when I consider what else it says in James . . .
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
James 2:8-9 NIV
I am now aware that I can be like that cabinet minister — making people feel unworthy, rejected and shunned. Or, like the doorman, I can make people feel valued, welcome and appreciated; no matter how they look, dress, speak, where they live, or what they drive.
The choice is in my hands!
We should see people through God’s eyes — precious, worthy, accepted, and loved. Loved enough for Jesus to die for their sins. We should treat all people well so that those around us begin to see a difference in the way we live. Then, it becomes easier to introduce them to Jesus!
Pray with me . . . “Lord, help me to love like Jesus.”
