We were to board a mid-day flight sometime ago. One of the officers at the screening point asked me to hold on, and I did. One or two flouted that order, but that was not an excuse for me to join the bandwagon. Anything done to spite her would have been an affront on the authority that put her there and, invariably, God who established government for the purposes of maintaining law and order. Finally, I was signaled to come. The officer was so impressed that he commended me, noting that many others would have shunned her aside if they were told to wait. That was my chance to drop a word. “We must do what we preach”, I told her. “I am a Pastor and I teach people to obey the law as well as respect law enforcement agents”. She smiled approvingly. At least she went convinced that we still have people in the society who believe in civility and decency.

There is something in everyone you meet that longs for recognition and respect. You are to meet that yearning.

It is not law enforcement agents alone that we should honour. Apostle Peter says that honour should be extended to all men. “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king” (1 Peter 2:17). There is something in everyone you meet that longs for recognition and respect. You are to meet that yearning. The society is faced with a lot of problems. So many things are daily devaluing people’s worth. A little courtesy you extend to people can add to their self-esteem. Amazingly, honouring people does not in any way reduce you; it adds to you. Since they say what goes round comes around, you can be sure of harvest of honour when you honour others.