THE PRICE OF RESPECT by Robert Soto

May 2, 2010

THE PRICE OF RESPECT by Robert Soto

Genesis 45:13 "Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."

Many years ago a warrior was known by his accomplishments. He did not demand respect; he earned the right to be a leader in the community and the tribe. His status as a warrior gave him the right to be who he was and the people recognized who he was as a warrior, who he was as one who had earned the right to be respected. He did not demand respect nor did he ask people to serve him. He understood that his status or rank among the people had come, not by force but by choice. He chose to serve the people. He chose to honor the tribe. He chose to give his life for the rights of all his people; not just for himself or a chosen few. He lived for the people and the people lived for him.

Things have changed today. Today we have people whose desire in life is to demand respect and not wait for it to come through servanthood. They look at our instant world and say, "I want it now." But they fail to realize that leaders are not born overnight. They fail to realize that the warrior status does not come instantly. They fail to realize that respect comes through time and by being a servant to all. Joseph became a mighty warrior among the Egyptians, second in command to Pharaoh. But his warrior spirit did not come by demand; it came by sacrifice and pain. So that at the end of his life he could stand with pride and say, "Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly." He paid the price and he earned the right to be a leader, a warrior among his people. Are you willing to pay the price? Are you willing to be a servant? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be great among those you live with each day of your life?

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church