Are you Low on L.O.V.E ?

This is a one of the 3 L.O.V.E stories we shared during cell on 28 Feb.

The Passenger
We saw radically different attitudes of 2 passengers on board a plane. One whose air ticket was an unexpected, free 1st-class seat. Another Mr Got-To-Have-It-Now have paid for the 1st-class ticket. Mr GTHIN demanded for service. His timing was poor; he could have waited a few moments. His tone was harsh; the flight attendants didn't deserve disrespect. His agenda was selfish. He didn't just want a pillow; he wanted to be the centre of attention. Don't get me wrong... what his requested was understandable... the way he requested it, was not. Mr GTHIN said," I have my rights." Not the writer. His was a free gift. He's just happy to be on board because he knew he didn't deserve this 1st-class seat in the first place.
God calls us to a higher, more noble concern. Not "what are my rights?" but "what is loving?"
Do you have the right to interrupt a conversation with your own selfish agenda? Yes, but is it loving to do so?
Do you have the right to shame and ridicule a person in order to boost your own ego, save some 'face' and gain approval of your friends? Yes, but is it loving?
Issit within your rights to bark at your siblings or snap at your parents becoz you had a hard day at work and you expect to be served at home? Yes, but is it loving?
Jesus always knocks before entering. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." (Rev 3:20). He doesn't have to. He owns your heart. And when He enters, he always brings a gift. Christ brings "the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38). And as He stays, He serves too. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). He's serving the guests as they sit (John13:4-5). He won't eat until he's offered thanks, and he won't leave until the leftovers are put away (Matt 14:19-20). He's courteous enough to tell you His name (Exodus 3:15) and to call you by yours. He knocks before He enters. He always brings a gift. Thanks are offered. Food is served. The table is cleared. He knows your name and tells you his, and here's one more. He pulls out the chair for you. "He raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavens." (Eph 2:6). Ladies love it when guys pull out their chair. On one occasion, "My," a single mum blushed. "It's been a while since anyone did that."
Has it been a while for you as well? People can be so rude. They accuse us of doing this and not doing that. They expect, and we just didn't meet theirs coz we have our own agenda. Our patience wears thin. We returned tacky with tacky, an eye for an eye. We snap at people on the phone. We interrupt. We fail to show up for appointments. And we take out our frustrations on the ones we loved. Could you use some courtesy? Perhaps it has been a while since someone pulled out your chair. Then let Jesus have the pleasure of doing so.
One day, a church staff was eating lunch at a food centre. It was packed and the heat unbearable. That day, she happened to be wearing a shirt that bear the name of the church. A dish collector walked passed her, juggling a few plates of used plates and utensils for washing and spilled some sauce on her white T-shirt. She fumed and out of her mouth sprung forth like a bullet a string of names like "Stupid, fool... etc". The poor, hunched old man was apologizing profusely. Then she remembered she was wearing the shirt - and she changed her behaviour.
Truth is, we are all wearing a shirt. "All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves in Christ" (Gal 3:27). We wear Christ. And those who doesn't believe in Jesus note what we do. They make decisions about Christ by watching us. When we are kind, they assume Christ is kind. When we are gracious, they assume Christ is gracious. But when we are brash, what will people think about Him? When we unleash our temper, what assumption will an observer make about our Master? "Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making most of the opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should" (Col 4:5-6). Courteous conduct honours God and His children. "Do you best to live in peace with everyone" (Rom 12:18).
You asked, "Why must I be kind to people who are rude?" Becoz "Love is not rude." (1 Cor 13:5) Just do your best. You can't control their attitudes, but you can manage yours. Ask Him to teach you how.