I’m generally a fairly easy-going guy.  I’m usually pleasant to chat with.  I’m interested in listening and learning more about many things from people.  I try to be thoughtful in what I do or say.  I recognize that there are different strokes for different folks and am typically accepting of different points of view. And I wear a mask in public places and maintain an acceptable distance from others.  (Who would have thought that those last points would one day top the list of proper social etiquette practices?)

But I admit that there are some things that irritate me.  I’m a bit of a growly bear at times.

For example, if I could add an eleventh commandment to the Lord’s list, it would be … “You shall not litter!”  Not ever.  Not for any reason.  If a person can manage to carry the full, heavier package/wrapper/can/bottle to wherever they are when they use it, then there should be no reason why they can’t transport the emptier, lighter version with them until it can be properly disposed.

And please, I have absolutely no desire to see anyone’s underwear.  It’s called “underwear” because it is supposed to be under whatever else a person is wearing!  In my book, deliberately displaying one’s underpants is a rather distasteful fashion statement.

In the same way, intentionally blaring one’s music for everyone within a quarter mile to hear strikes me as incredibly rude.  (No matter what type of music it may be!)  And I’ll double down on that whenever the music is thumping from a car parked at a convenience store or at a gas pump in the gas station. 

Nor can I comprehend why anyone would embark on a beautiful nature hike miles from any city and then fill the forest air with the clamor of tunes from some modern technological device.  Isn’t one of the primary reasons for venturing into the wild to immerse one’s self into the stillness of nature, punctuated only with birdsong and the natural sounds of God’s creation?

I haven’t even mentioned conversing loudly on a cell phone in a restaurant or in the check-out line.  Or recklessly weaving through freeway traffic at a high rate of speed.  Or someone trying to finish my sentences for me.

When I observe these behaviors, one word flashes through my mind … and possibly even across my lips.  “Really?!?”

I know.  I know.  It’s clear I’m an old curmudgeon.  And the older I get, the more curmudgeonly I become.  However, I’m guessing that at least some of the behaviors I mentioned bother you too.  And I’m sure you have other irritants that weren’t mentioned. 

Here’s the thing that I try to remember when I’m frustrated at a behavior that strikes me as rude.  Difficult as it is to imagine, there are things that I do that irritate others and strike them as rude too.  (I can’t for the life of me think of what my failings might be, but I’m sure my family members or even others who know me, if they thought really long and hard, might be able to list off a few.)  The hard truth is that there are things that you do that rub people the wrong way as well. 

In fact, Jesus himself frustrated others.  The Bible shows clearly that he upset any number of people in his earthly ministry.  But do you doubt that even as he was growing up, he irritated a few folks?  There must have been times when his earthly parents were exasperated with him … even before and after the twelve-year old Jesus remained behind in the temple debating with the theologians.  Surely his siblings didn’t always appreciate their half-brother’s perfection as they were growing up together.

If even holy Jesus irritated others, then how can any of us expect to slide through life without ruffling a few feathers?  Sometimes we might upset because we are doing the right thing; other times because we aren’t being very thoughtful; still others where we frustrate because we are simply different than someone else.

All of which is why the Holy Spirit urges us in the Scriptures to prioritize love in our viewing of and dealing with one another.  The Bible is full of these encouragements.  Here is one of my favorites:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”  (Colossians 3:12-15).

Really?!?  Yes, really!  With God’s assistance, God expects us to live a life of love … reflecting to others the undeserved love he has shown us.