If you place value on honor, in time, your thinking and behavior will change. If you are waiting for that magic moment in time where you will be able to show honor to someone in a really big way, in public, for all to see and take notice of, you have missed it. You don’t have to take a bullet for someone in order to show honor. Honor is not about grand gestures but about consistent, humble acts that lift others up.
In fact, if you don’t show honor in the small things, you won’t show honor in the big things. Honor embraces humility and looks for opportunities to make others look good. It is not self-centered, but rather, other-focused. This heart posture reflects the love of Jesus, who served others selflessly.
Developing a Culture of Honor
In order to develop a culture of honor in your own heart, start by looking for the small opportunities to demonstrate honor to others. For example, opening a door for someone when walking into the local convenience store, or purposefully allowing someone to cut in front of you in traffic when there is a long line. It might even be parking in the back of the parking lot so that someone else can have a closer spot when it rains. These small acts plant seeds of honor that grow into a lifestyle. Honor builds people up, it does not insult. Honor encourages people, it does not embrace sarcasm. It is purposeful and looks for these opportunities, it does not happen across them. Honor seeks to bless, not to curse, and reflects a heart aligned with God. It’s the small acts of honor that will change a life, especially yours. When you choose to honor others, you cultivate a heart that pleases God and transforms your perspective.
Honor in Public Celebration
Look for opportunities to publicly show honor. For example, if one of your children brings home an A on a paper that they spent a lot of time working on, make a big deal of it in front of other people. When you do, not only will it encourage them, but you will be demonstrating to your child what honor looks like. As a side note, you’ll be showing everybody else what it looks like too. Honor celebrates other people. It puts them on a pedestal for all to recognize. This act of lifting others up reflects God’s heart, as He delights in seeing you demonstrate honor. Consider how praising a coworker’s effort in a team meeting can inspire them to keep going. Public honor multiplies its impact.
Honor Influences People
For the last several months, I have made it a point to open the door for others when walking into my local convenience store on my way to work. To a person, every time I did so, it either brought a smile to their face or a “Thank you” from their lips. This simple act of honor created a ripple effect, brightening someone’s day and reflecting God’s kindness. This practice of honoring others developed in other areas of my life as well. Honor now governs my life. It has shaped my thinking, my attitude, and behavior. Now that a culture of honor has taken root in my heart, I look to develop a culture of honor to those within my influence, even to the people who make my breakfast at the local convenience store on my way to work. Here’s what happened: Each day, I order a specific breakfast burrito, one with extra parmesan cheese, extra chipotle sauce, and extra diced tomatoes. There are several people that can make my burrito, but there is one that does it just right. One day, I decided to really go out of my way to praise her publicly for making the perfect breakfast burrito. She got a little embarrassed, because I had made such a big deal of it, but from that day on, she made it a point to look for my order and make my burrito, just the way I liked it, every time I came into the store. One small act of honor on my part changed her behavior, and it brought a smile to her face every time I walked into that convenience store. This experience showed me that honor not only blesses others but also deepens your own joy and influence.
Serving Others Honors The Lord
Serving is a natural by-product of honor. When one serves others as an expression of love, this, in turn, shows honor to God. Each act of service brings honor to God, from the smallest act of service to great sacrifices made on behalf of others. He sees them all and does not overlook even the smallest act of kindness. Matthew 25:40 says, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Similarly, when you honor others, you honor the Lord Himself. Like a shark that can smell blood in the water a mile away, the Lord can smell honor. Honor is an aroma to the Lord, and it pleases Him to no end, especially when you choose to make honor a way of living. Every act of honor, whether opening a door or serving a meal, brings a smile to His face.
Cultivating a Culture of Honor
How do you cultivate a culture of honor? Start each day by asking God to show you opportunities to honor others. Look for ways to serve, like helping a neighbor or encouraging a friend. Avoid words that tear down, and instead, speak life. When you make honor a habit, it transforms your relationships and draws you closer to Him. Your influence grows as others see Jesus in your actions.
The Impact of Honor
A life marked by honor changes everything. It shifts your focus from self to others, reflecting the Father’s heart. Imagine the impact when you consistently honor those around you. Your family, friends, and community will see God’s heart through you. So, make it a point to demonstrate honor today by publicly celebrating an accomplishment of someone you come across. Watch what it does to their countenance. Make this a habit, and you will find that your influence will grow exponentially. Honor is a lifestyle that pleases God and blesses others, building His kingdom one act at a time.