Day 33 – Treat Everyone Like a Movie Star – Julie Earl
Romans 16:1-2
I just returned from a wonderful Christian conference where they worked hard to serve and bless all those who attended, but I noticed that some of the volunteers (and many of the guests themselves) treated the guest speakers with more honor and respect than everyone else. I wasn’t speaking, so I was part of “everyone else”.
During an amazing time of worship one morning, the Holy Spirit gave me a beautiful vision and I felt prompted to take a few seconds and share it with the main speaker who happened to be behind me since I was worshiping up front. He and I have only chatted a few times, but I had given him a copy of my book No More No, just a few weeks earlier at another conference held by our church. I had quoted him in the book (with permission from his ministry), and the book was a thank-you gift.
I stepped back and took 20 seconds to share the vision with him. As I did, the young security guy walked over to us. The speaker smiled and had a positive comment in response to what I had seen. I paused for a second, debating whether this was the best time to tease him about if he’d already read my book since he’s a very busy man, but I decided not to. Instead, I started to say something about how wonderful the conference was, but the security guard started to push me away. I went ahead and walked away, but I saw the speaker hold out his hand to stop the security guard and say, “She’s okay.”
There was another time I was standing in the front before the next session began. I was chatting with a woman who was very interested in my book and ministry, so I was answering her questions. There were prayer ministers praying for a few people in the front, but we weren’t in anyone’s way and there was plenty of space around us for people to walk. But even so, one of the volunteers asked us to move. I felt a spirit of offense try to rise up and my eyes filled with tears, so I went outside on the patio to pray, forgive and release the offense. My priority is that my heart stays soft and tender when people are hurtful, but once I prayed through, I couldn’t help but think that if I had been one of the speakers they wouldn’t have treated me that way in either situation. They would have treated me as if I was worthy of honor and respect.
In Romans 16:1-2 Paul said, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints….” Sadly, the church has followed the world in thinking that guest speakers, famous singers and movie stars are more special than “everyone else.” They get special seats, special honor and special attention, but God wants us to receive everyone in a way that is worthy of the saints. “God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34) and He wants us to “serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13) whether people are movie stars or janitors. That is why I ask not to be set at special tables or special seats when I speak. I’d rather sit with the folks who have come to listen, get to know them better and make sure they know how important they are whether they are speaking on the stage or listening in the audience. (That wish doesn’t always work out practically, but I try.) 🙂
Paul goes on in Romans 16 to list all the wonderful things about some of the believers in Rome, and we need to follow his example by realizing and pointing out all the amazing things about every person we meet. People are special beyond compare and a treasure to the Father’s heart, so when we honor and treat them as if they are famous movie stars or royalty, we are honoring and blessing God and His choice of VIPs! It’s truly not about us, but about us loving people for the God who loves them passionately!
Julie’s note: I do want to say that the speaker I mentioned above does honor everyone – no matter their status. He made a point to visit with as many people as possible, and he stopped by our table during one of the meals just to chat. He understands God’s heart of love for His people!
Many blessings as you honor everyone as much as God does!
Julie Earl with Crazy About You Ministries (CAYM)