Showing Favortism
About a year ago I was asked to speak at a conference in Europe. On the day I was to speak, I was desperate to find a charger for my iPad, as I use it when I preach. I looked around the big hall for some member of the conference who looked hipster enough, assuming they would have an iPod charger. The sound team, of course, I thought.
I walked over to the area where there were all kinds of computers, wires, and a massive soundboard. I asked the fellow in charge if he had a charger I could use. He said, “Yes, I have one, but it is in my room.”
I said, “Would you mind bringing it later? I would really appreciate it.”
“No,” he refused. He may have added something after that to indicate that it wasn’t his problem.
I was really stunned and walked away, both forgiving him for his rudeness and thinking of a way I could slash his tires. Actually, I was annoyed, but I quickly gave it to the Lord. He obviously didn’t know I was one of the speakers. He just assumed I was some English-speaking irritation (which was also true).
I could have said, Hey, don’t you know who I am? (Which would have been silly, since clearly he didn’t.) Or, I am one of the speakers here, Pal! That is not really how the Ronster rolls (first reference to myself in the 3rd person ever in my blog!) and my wife would have rebuked me.
I wasn’t going to let it affect my attitude, because I was there to preach on Israel. We all know how little things like that can ruin a whole day. Plus, the truth is he was busy running the sound.
Fortunately, one of the other speaker’s sons had a charger, so my problem was solved.
That night I gave my message. Three points on Israel.
God’s heart for Israel (Romans 9:1-4)
God is not finished with Israel (Romans 11:1, 11 and 29)
Israel’s restoration will result in blessing for the nations (Romans 11:12, 15)
The message was well received. I finished and returned to my seat. No sooner had I sat down, when someone from the sound team showed up with an iPhone charger. In other words, once the fellow running the sound team realized I was one of the speakers, I became a priority. The truth is I felt bad for him. It also became clear that he had the charger all along!
Let’s not be too hard on him. My guess is that we all have been guilty of showing favoritism at different times in our lives, based on status, race, looks, education, etc…the list goes on. In addition, I don’t think that I deserve anything more than anyone else. I am just a hyperactive 46-year-old bothering sound guys 🙂 …
However, James says:
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Yeshua the Messiah must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (Jacob 2:1-4)
Let’s all take a good look inside and renew our commitment to love without condition and to bless without showing favoritism. In this, we too will be blessed.
