Both sides of the fence, eh? Nothing quite like it.
I have clear recollections of being a boy growing up in the family home in Wellingborough. I would get upset about something and feel aggrieved at the injustice of it all and my voice would raise and I’d overstep the mark and my Dad in that cool and clinical fashion would enquire ‘Who do you think you’re talking to?’ If I was dumb enough not to take the hint he would further clarify that he was not one of my friends, at my level to be able to be spoken to in such a fashion. Were I still pig ignorant to the ominous signs and warnings he would go on to reinforce the status of the parent-child relationship in an unmistakeable manner. It’s not that I couldn’t talk to Dad or he wouldn’t accept my petitions, but that level of respect and knowing who was who had to be maintained.
Oh how the worm has turned. My firstborn is apt to get upset about something and feel aggrieve at the injustice of it all and she would raise her voice and inevitably overstep the mark. Can’t imagine where she got that from. Likewise as I was trained by the best I’ll engage in a conversation with her to remind her of our respective positions in this verbal intercourse and the importance of acknowledging and respecting that. Otherwise I shall reinforce the status of the parent-child relationship in an unmistakeable manner!
That works in a fairly straightforward fashion when it comes to parent and child. It gets a bit more tricky when it comes to adults. I imagine all the things that were said or screamed at Jesus whether it was demanding him to heal others or decrying his claims to be the Son. I imagine those who completely misunderstood who He was, leading to that famous question He asks of His disciples – who do men say I am. I imagine this and am reminded sometimes in my engagements I don’t know who I’m talking to. Not to say I get upset and sometimes overstep the mark – that goes without saying. It is to say that often the best approach to a situation in prayerful conversation is remembering who it is I am talking to.
That doesn’t only work for my relationship with Jesus. It works wonders in marriage – I can often get confused with my wife being someone of less worth and respect and thank God she reminds me one way or the other – sometimes in an unmistakeable way – that if she is the one that I cherish and adore I might as well talk to her in such a way. Makes sense that really.
Beyond the intimates, though, there is the everyday journey of meeting new people. Sometimes I myself have been the victim of being ignored or overlooked because people simply don’t know who they are talking to. Situations will develop and problems will increase all because people won’t take the time to discover, acknowledge and respect who they have in someone like me. That’s not blowing me own horn in arrogance, that’s history as acknowledged by all the key participants!
It works the other way likewise, were I just to take the time to know who it is I’m talking to – where they are coming from, where they are, where they are going, what they have to offer and how God has chosen to bless me through them and vice-versa – that could save me years of heartache. (Just ask my bank manager!!)
Such is the power of developing Christ-centred relationships. When this happens as is encouraged with the one-anothers in scripture, then there is less of a likelihood of ignoring, mistreating, overlooking and blatantly abusing gifts God has sent to share Himself with us through. Imagine the hidden joy and peace to be discovered by God opening our eyes to Him through the life, experience and encounters of others. All that if we just take that time out to realise who it is we’re talking to.
I imagine we have that opportunity or God will reinforce the status of the Creator-Created relationship in an unmistakeable manner.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 