R-E-S-P-E-C-T

If you're as old as this writer, you no doubt remember the 1967 number one song by Aretha Franklin, "RESPECT."  In this song, Aretha soulfully croons, "All I want is a little respect...sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me..."  I said it was number one and that it was memorable, I didn't say the lyrics were altogether inspirational.

It was a song that struck a chord in the human heart that seeks to be recognized and appreciated.  It is unfortunately, however, a chord that too often plays a sour note of narcissistic pride.  One that was struck in the Garden of Eden within the hearts of Adam and Eve, and it will continue being a favorite note until the Lord comes again.

While showing respect is an honorable act and desiring respect is a natural desire, demanding respect displays a weakness of character.  Young street hoods and punk gang members angerly warn others, "Don't dis me!"  And yet, they have never made a productive move in their lives or acted in a way that even begins to suggest they should be respected.  They demand what must be earned.

The truth is that respect comes to those who are not seeking the spotlight, who are not in the game for themselves but instead are concerned about the welfare of others.  Consider the amount of respect given to Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa.  And then consider how their lives were spent in pursuit of something bigger than themselves, something that served the greater good of others.

Moses was arguably the greatest leader Israel has ever know, one of the great leaders of all time.  But he did not seek acclaim or even think he deserved it.  He always felt his brother, Aaron, was better suited for the job.  He also continually placed the need of the people above his own, he sought their greater good over his own.  While a giant among men and a leader of epic proportion, he was proclaimed by God to be "...a very humble man, more humble than anyone on the face of the earth" (Num 12:3).  Respected - yes.  Prideful - no.

True respect, like happiness, is a side product of another pursuit.  People who make happiness their aim seldom become happy people, they are more likely to be cynical not having achieved the level of happiness they desired or expected.  People who seek after respect are also not likely to feel the degree of respect they imagined or deemed warranted.  It is rather those who seek the good of others, allow others to shine and even defer credit to another - those people we respect big time.

It is as Jesus revealed in Matthew 23:12, "...those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."  Did you know that when taking a curve on a motorcycle you actually apply pressure on the handlebars to the left in order to go right?  It is counter-intuitive but nonetheless true.  With regard to respect, the way up is actually down.  We are raised up in stature when we bend down to serve the needs of others.  Jus' Say'n.