There are certain words today, especially in the American culture, which get overused or used in the wrong way. This leaves powerful and meaningful words tired and lack luster to us as we use them everyday. Lets call these words “raisin words” because they have had the life taken from them. Words like love, hope, beauty and of course respect. The use of these words is not a bad thing but when they are used in a general and all encompassing way it tarnishes them. Take the word love for example, Jimmy says he loves Chic-fil-a then the same day he says he loves his wife. Hopefully Jimmy is meaning two different kinds of love here, and if not he has some serious issues either with his significant other or some chicken. One of these raisin words is respect. I believe there are three major types of respect people encounter on a day to day.
Unearned respect is the type of respect we are born with. This is the respect of life that is manifest when something or someone undergoes existence. This is not only the common respect for humans, but for all things God created. All life is sacred. The fact that man was created in the image of God is the very reason why everyone deserves respect. A disrespect of the creation is an indirect disrespect of its Creator, God. Just as a disrespect of an artist’s work would be an indirect disrespect of the artist himself. So let us respect the artist.
The second type of respect is one most people encounter day to day. Whether it’s a boss at the office, having an unplanned meeting with an officer, shaking hands with President Horne, or just growing up with interaction of parents, everyone has experienced this kind of respect. This respect is received when someone holds a leadership position. It does not matter if they are well liked or hated; if the position was given to them or they worked hard to get the title, they still receive respect from those beneath them.
The respect of those we love. This respect is an overflow of love. This can be displayed on many different levels. One end of the spectrum would be respecting a girl’s heart by protecting her from the things of this world in a dating relationship. The other end would be a reverent respect for God as a result of an intimate relationship with our Father in Heaven.
Respect can be conveyed in many different ways. We are responsible to pay respect at some level to which everything has been created. Respect is also a vital part of relationships, here on earth and with Christ. We have hydrated the raisin and brought it back to its true form as a succulent, ripe grape. Bite into the grape, spit out the seed and indulge in the juice, and be grateful you are able to enjoy a grape as apposed to a raisin.
