HONOUR THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU
Dad had some appointments to keep in Ibadan. He requested that I drive him. I agreed. At least, it is a privilege. We always get to have great father-son moments on the road.
As we got back to Eruwa, the first place we would get to was my house before his house. He asked if I would head to my place first then he will drive down to his house. It was not a big deal, right? But then I asked myself if I was driving my Pastor or my Trainer, what would I do? That changed everything. I drove Dad home first and arranged for how I will get home.
Honour your father. Yes! Honour shows in simple things. Honour is not conditional. Honour your father even if he does things that you do not like. Honour means you place the right value on a thing or a person. Honour is very important.
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2 – 3 NKJV
Familiarity is terrible. There is a way that we treat those who are close to us. We keep the best plates for visitors. We take extra caution when we are with strangers. The meal is sweeter when there are visitors around. Familiarity is terrible.
Familiarity is costly. Milcah got too familiar with David. She forgot the king dimension of him. She despised the oil on his life. She spoke anyhow to a man coming home to pour out his blessings. She got the curse of a closed womb without David saying anything about her state.
The closer you get to people, you more you know about them. Whenever you see weaknesses because of proximity, remember to be grateful for access rather than complaining about the weaknesses. There are people you should not take for granted.
Sometimes, the answer you seek for the next level is locked up in how you treat those who are the closest to you.
Peter charged the men to dwell with their wives in understanding because it is key to answering prayers.
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. I Peter 3:7 NKJV
Let me give you a simple assignment: Take a look at your palm. Can you see the marks? Now, bring your palms close to your eyes gradually. The closer it gets, the lines become blurry. That’s the point, you may not see the best of your spouse because they are right before your space. Ask God for grace to see those who are close to you the way God sees them. That is a lot of people are celebrated more by strangers than by their own family. Even Jesus could not stop his own people from dishonouring him. They did not believe in Him.
Familiarity will make you honour your pastor but despise your spouse. Honour is not selective. If you are a person walking in honour, it must show in all your affairs. Dishonour will keep you low. Dishonour will keep you in the same spot.
When next you have to serve those who are closest to you, ask yourself “Is this how I would treat my boss at work?” Give those close to you your best.
temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa.