I ran into an old classmate in a public place one day. I hugged and greeted him so well that he was forced to say; “Pastor, I’m surprised that you could still relate with someone like me this way. I thought you’re high up there.” My response to him revealed my understanding of life; “That I’m high up there does not mean that I should look down on you.”
Friend, men are extensions of God. Always remember that life is in phases and men are in sizes. The way you treat people is a reflection of your value system. People are God’s greatest treasure on earth (Genesis 1:26). They are extensions of God. To mistreat people is to miss God without knowing. Divine visitations are often wrapped in human encounters (Luke 19:41-44).
I always pray for our church congregation that they would meet men like angels and angels like men. But they would need to treat people well if they would unlock the angels in them. This was the wisdom of Abraham and Sarah. How could they have treated a total stranger to a banquet if not that they had the right mindset (Genesis 18:1-10)?
Rather than praying that God should cause you to meet the right people, I think you should pray that God would help you to treat people right (Proverbs 18:24, Hebrews 13:2). If you resolve to treat people right, you would not need to pray for the right people. The right people would often be hidden in everyday people. Your destiny moment would often come from casual moments (Genesis 37:15).
Wherever you go, always put respect forward, and you will never be wrong (1 Peter 2:17). Why must you honour all men? Because you are a person of honour. We are to live according to who we are, not what people are or do to us. If you misbehave because of another person’s misbehaviour, you already have misbehaviour in you.
Men are extensions of God. When you honour people, you are simply telling God that you respect His wisdom. Honour is a seed whose harvest will come at a time you least expect but that you need the most. Like Joseph, your connection to the palace may be a prisoner at the moment. If you treat him badly, you would miss your throne in destiny (Genesis 40:1-7, 41:9-14).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria