Common People

Just because we were both Christians was not going to make us instant BFFs!

Proverbs 22:1-29

Reference:  v.2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

Explore:  When I was at university I went along to a friend's party.  At one point during the night the host came up to me with another friend and said, "Linda, this is Donna.  Donna, this is Linda.  You two have something in common.  By the time I come back I want to see if you have worked it out."  And with that our 'friend' turned around and disappeared in to another room.  After some awkward conversation we started going through the things that we may have in common.  It was clear from our outward appearance that we were both female, but we figured there was something more to our similarities.  We were both studying but different courses at different universities.  Neither of us liked seafood but we didn't think our friend even knew that about us.  I grew up in the country whereas Donna grew up in the city.  So, I finally bit the bullet and asked the question that I suspected would reveal our similarity, "Do you go to church?"  "Yes," said Donna, "and you?"  "Yes," I said. "And I suspect that is the reason that our 'friend' has brought us together.  Let's get all the Christians in the one corner, shall we?!"  We had a bit of a chuckle, asked a few general questions about our churches and then headed back to our respective friendship circles.  Donna was nice but I think we were both keen to just hang out with our friends, the people we connect with best.  Just because we were both Christians was not going to make us instant BFFs!

Application:  While it is often nice to meet someone who has a similar view about faith it does not mean that we are going to be better friends with them than with our non believing friends.  Sometimes we think that our faith makes us so much better than other people, and sometimes other people are inclined to group us "religious" people together.  However, when we do believe in God we realise that God has created us all as equals.   We are all God's children, He made us all and we all fall short of His glory.  We may connect better with some people or have more in common with others, but God has created us all equally.  When we come in contact with the shop assistant, our boss, the neighbourhood children or a politician, it's important for us to remember: The Lord is the Maker of us all.

Prayer:  Lord, help us to see all people as equal and to treat them all with the love that You have for us.  Amen.

When have you not been treated equally?  How did that make you feel?  Is there someone that you do not treat as an equal?

Proverbs