Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is part of human nature to belittle others to make one feel better about themselves.

In some cultures, it is worse than others.

I dare say that it was worse decades ago when I was young. But it is still around today.

Job had not done anything to deserve his situation, but his so-called friends kept telling him that it must all be his fault.

One might say that they were just trying to lead him on the right path, but I am certain that at least some of their nagging came out of a feeling of superiority.

I work in downtown Denver. It is easy to get that same feeling of superiority when I walk or drive by the many homeless there.

While how to help the homeless is debatable, there is one way that is certain that we can help them and anyone else who we might be tempted to think of as lesser than us.

Treat them with respect.

So, the next time you feel like ignoring the homeless, or talking smack about that person who messed up again, imagine yourself in Job’s shoes (sandals?) and ask yourself what would help you in that situation.

Then trade the feeling of superiority for compassion and respect.

I case you’re wondering, I’m preaching this to myself as much as anyone else.

Have you ever been in a situation where most people either avoided you or talked bad about you? What did you need to hear from people at that time?
Are there situations in your life now where you need to trade superiority for compassion and respect?