A Common Courtesy - Part Three by Ps Michael Podhaczky

I was recently reading a Forbes Leadership article titled, “It’s Time to Bring Back Courtesy to the Workplace”. One statement stood out and challenged me:

“Respect towards others should be standard behavior in the workplace, regardless of role, rank, or reputation. But as companies have become more virtual, global, and stressed out, this assumption can break down unless we focus on it more explicitly.”[1]

It got me thinking, “How courteous and am I in my place of work or study?” If I had my fellow colleagues or students evaluate my courteousness, I wonder what they would find. Would they say that I am someone who displays common courtesies as a citizen of the Kingdom of God? Alternatively, would they say that I am uncourteous, horrible, or even obnoxious and hard to get on with much of the time? Hmm, this is something to ponder! This would be an interesting exercise to do, to get my fellow colleagues or students to evaluate my courteousness.

Then lifting the bar even higher, “What do you have to say Holy Spirit, regarding my common courtesies as a citizen of the Kingdom of God?” Honestly, am I continually courteous to others,  being tender hearted and forgiving others in my place of work, just as You, Father, through Christ have forgiven me? (Eph 4:32). Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over.

If I am a true child of the King, then I need to represent the culture of the King. I need to have behavior in my workplace that is of such a standard that reflects the culture of the Kingdom of God, regardless of my role, rank, or reputation. I can either bring disrepute on the King, or shine in such a way that those around me may glorify Him (cf. Matt 5:16).

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[1] “It's Time to Bring Back Courtesy to the Workplace.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/ronashkenas/2013/04/15/its-time-to-bring-back-courtesy-to-the-workplace/ (11^th November 2015).