A Common Courtesy - Part 2 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

It can be fashionable to do random acts of kindness these days. Yet, how often are we intentional  in common courtesy? Stop for a moment and about think about yesterday. How much courtesy was common to your day? Were you courteous to those around you at home, work, school, on the road or in the shopping centre? How many people showed common courtesy towards you yesterday? Reflect on these questions.

How did you do? Where there some ‘ouch’ thoughts, when you recalled that unthankful response, or selfish reaction, or even that thoughtless word. Hmm, challenging is it not. Amidst the random acts of kindness, remember the significance of common courtesy. Have you ever wondered why it is called common courtesy anyway? Especially if it may not be as common throughout the day as one might think.

Common courtesy should be just that, commonplace. It should be something that comes from our being part of the Kingdom of God. You know, the Kingdom culture is just that; common courtesy. It is valuing others enough to act courtly towards them, since we live as part of the royal court of the Kingdom of God. Have you ever prayed, “May Your Kingdom come soon” (Matt 6:10 NLT)? If so, then as part of the Kingdom of God here and now, you have numerous and ongoing opportunities to act courtly towards others.

What do you need to do to come into alignment with the culture that you have been born again into, the Kingdom culture of the King of Kings? A culture is not something that happens overnight, but if you are intentional it can begin to take shape and shape you. You are a child of the King, and you will be given numerous and ongoing opportunities to act courtly towards others today. What will you do with these precious gems?