Genesis Chapter 23
Showing Love and Respect Builds a Bridge For Receiving Love and Respect.
Abraham’s wife, Sarah, died at the age of 127 years old. That means Abraham was 136 years old and her son, Isaac, was 36 years old.
There was such a great mutual respect and love between Abraham and the people he lived amongst, the Hittites. They loved each other and Abraham wanted to buy property from them for a burial place, and they didn’t want him to pay because of the love and respect they had for him. His love and respect didn’t just happen because of Sarah’s death. It’s something that developed over a period of time.
This makes me think, we want love and respect, but do we show love and respect. Think of your family. Think of your job: whether it be your boss, a coworker, or workers you have authority over. You want love and respect but do you role model love and respect? How about the church, or your neighbor, or perhaps your friends or enemies? How can you role model respect and love for others today? Or what has to change in your heart or attitude before you could even begin to do so? I’m not saying let people walk all over you. I’m saying we would be surprised how much love and respect we gain from others when we role model it. So let’s swallow our pride and ask for God’s help to live a life of love and respect as a role model to others rather than wait for someone else to take the first step.
