Pecking order - the notion that certain people are more important than others - is an unfortunate by-product of our competitive society. No matter what setting you find yourself in, chances are good that it has a pecking order - and that you will recognize (or be made aware of)your place in it.
Some pecking orders are obvious. In a corporate setting, the order is usually determined by job title, from the chair of the board on down. In other settings - a school classroom, for example - the order may be less obvious, but it is no less real.
With a pecking order comes the expectation of preferential treatment. Those at the top expect to be treated a certain way by those "below" them. Those further down in the order have fewer expectations. If we adopt the pecking-order mentality, we face the temptation of showing favoritism in our interactions with others.
As Christians, we do not have the freedom to show more kindness and respect to certain people than we do to others. Acts 10:34 makes it clear that God shows no favoritism. He recognizes no pecking order. He accepts everyone who comes to Hi. How can we, as His servants, do any less?
Thank God for setting the example for you in refusing to treat people differently based on social factors. Ask Him to bless your efforts to make your home and family equally welcoming to everyone.
Take time to reflect on these questions.
In what situations do you tend to feel superior to others?
When have you failed to treat others with courtesy as a result?
What can you do to make your home - and your family - more welcoming?
Consider these passages for further study on Favoritism:
Romans 2:11
For God does not show favoritism.
Galatians 3:26-29
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
James 2:8-9
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
The biggest awareness that brought to me in favoritism is being in control of not comparing myself to others. Just like I should not compare of which sister gives my Dad the better Father's Day present. He has never shown favoritism and we should all focus on being our true self without having the concern or even thoughts of being a favorite.
Devotional thoughts from Gary Chapman.
Enjoy your Father's Day!