Just a few days ago my family and I had finished our grocery shopping and decided to grab some ice cream before returning home.  After parking our car we headed toward the ice cream shop when we noticed that a woman had thrown her car into park, jumped out and threw a bag that contained her incorrect order back at the front door of the restaurant that mistakenly given her the wrong food.  As the bag hit the glass and fell to the ground, she got back into her car, slammed her door and sped out of the parking lot.

This is a testament to how angry our society has become.  In our world, we’ve become surrounded with gadgets that promised to make our lives easier and afford us the opportunity to get things done quicker.  Ironically, we have now become a people who constantly complain of uneasing stress and less time than ever before.  Who could have imagined that one day we would hold in our hands an electronic device that would put us in touch with all of our family, friends and even the rest of the world in a split second?  Who could have imagined that one day we would have, what we now take for granted in the form of microwaves and toaster ovens, a system that gives us delicious food in a matter of minutes?

We have truly become spoiled by the convenience of drive-thru windows.  If you were to take on the challenge of preparing a Big Mac combo from McDonald’s in your home, it would easily take at least an hour.  The buns must be prepared, the meat seasoned and cooked, the lettuce shredded, the special sauce made, the cheese melted, the fries cut, seasoned and fried and the drink poured.  Isn’t it interesting that, what would take at least an hour in our home, sends us into a rage if we have to wait more than 3 minutes in a drive-thru without having to do any of the prep-work ourselves.

I must admit that I’m not the most patient person in the world.  I like what I want when I want it just like the next guy.  It’s something that lives inside of us since we screamed mercilessly at our mothers when we wanted our bottle.  But there comes a time when we must grow up and realize that this world is not all about us.  There are situations that will arise in which you will disagree with someone.  That’s ok.  It doesn’t mean you have to stop loving them or praying for them.  The Word of God is clear.  Romans 12:10 commands us to, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”.  Love is not something that God takes lightly.

In our society today, there is a great deal of division and hatred.  As Christians, we must lead the way when it comes to loving our fellow-man…even when we disagree.  As believers, we know that the Word of God is the ultimate standard for living and the blueprint for receiving God’s blessings into our lives.  But, like Jesus, we must always remember to speak the truth of God’s Word with a heart that’s filled with love for the listener.  The parents who explain to their daughter why it’s wrong to engage in sexual activity prior to marriage must do so with a heart who seeks to teach, not condemn.  The pastor who deals with a conflict in his or her congregation must seek to repair, not destroy.  The believer who attempts to teach an unbeliever about the importance of serving Christ before His return must seek to compel, not place a cloud of unworthiness over the listener.

There are many disagreements taking place today.  From marriages, to families, to friendships, to churches, to workplaces, to the election coming up in November.  But through all of our differences, we must remember to love.  We must be reminded that, even though our husband or wife doesn’t fulfill our expectations every time, they are still our husband or wife.  We must be reminded that, even though our families are strained with conflict and our friendships are on thin ice, family is family and that will never change.  Friendships usually begin because of some positive that two individuals found that they had in common.  That simply cannot be forgotten.  The churches we attend are part of a bigger plan than our desire to be coddled and babysat.  Our workplaces are designed to accomplish a goal depending on the type of business that it is…not making sure that everything goes our way.

Probably one of the most heated debates in our country at this point is political in nature.  As American citizens, we must remember that it’s our right to speak up on issues and let our voice be heard.  But that voice must never be based on hatred.  There are people who have come to despise our current President and all those who support him.  This is not pleasing to God.  How can we be kindly affectioned toward our fellow man and speak hateful things about them at the same time?  James said that bitter water and sweet water cannot come from the same fountain.  I will admit that there are issues on which I disagree with our President.  However, he is still our President and should be respected as such.  I realize that this is not a popular viewpoint but I do believe that it’s Biblical.

The Apostle Paul said in Romans 13:1-2, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”  In the book of Daniel, the Bible says that it is God who raises up kings and God who brings them down.  Ultimately, despite which way our election swings, it is God who will place the right person in positions of leadership.  So, instead of tearing our President down, we must understand the importance of supporting him where we can and respectfully disagreeing with him where we differ.  It is extremely important that we, as believers, pray for our President, his family, Mitt Romney, his family and our nation as a whole.  Together we will see a brighter future as we depend on God’s direction.

Love must always rule in our hearts.  Despite our disagreements, we must remember that all people are made in the image and likeness of God.  That fact alone should determine how the people in our lives should be treated…with respect and honor.  Otherwise, we’re pointlessly throwing food at glass doors.