Pastor's Corner: An opportunity for love

The other day, I was purchasing food at a local store and couldn’t believe the amount of rudeness I received from the attendant. I was having a wonderful day and had greeted her pleasantly, with a smile. I asked myself the question, why is she being so rude to me? Did I say something wrong? Did I somehow intimidate her? Many times, in these scenarios, we respond in the following ways:

Respond back, rudely.

Ask, “Why are you being so rude?”

Ask for another attendant.

Ask for a manager.

Submit a complaint

However, this time, I paused.

I realized that I did not have to take this personally. I had not done anything to warrant this type of treatment. Why not respond kindly? Why not use this opportunity to show her a true Christian response … the love of Christ! John 13:35 says, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Love. If the attendant was having a bad day, what an opportunity to show love. What if this attendant was experiencing tragedy, sorrow, and stress in her life?

Oftentimes, we want these types of people to hear a message about Faith and Hope. Yet, in their despair, they may never grace the doors of a church assembly. At that very moment, my life was the message. My response was the message. Love was the principal thing! I Corinthians 3:13 says that out of faith, hope,

and love, the greatest of these is love!