Giving honor where honor is due

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

A couple of weeks ago a lot of folks in Cape were excited about the "Killshot" filming. I was reminded of years ago when I was working evenings and weekends at a second job at one of Cape's motels.

One week we had a famous country singer, his band and road crew staying with us. Autograph-seekers called constantly to see if the crew was in the building, and a few of the callers were pretty obnoxious. Some of the crew treated us staff like manure on their cowboy boots, too, so I was glad when the weekend came and they'd be gone. That's when I met Nicky Cruz.

When I came into work that afternoon, I scanned the reservation list and noticed the name Nicky Cruz. I wondered if it was the same man who'd been the tough leader of the Mau Mau gang in New York City, been saved, and was the central figure in the book/movie "The Cross and the Switchblade" and his autobiography "Run, Baby, Run." That Nicky Cruz had gone on to travel the globe, speaking to millions, sharing God's love, working to change the lives of gang members and helping David Wilkerson as he founded Teen Challenge.

As my co-workers got off work, I was left alone at the front desk. Finally this short man came sprinting in carrying his bag (yeah, just one bag) as the driver who'd brought him from the airport waited. Sure enough -- THE Nicky Cruz. Because of a mix-up, his room hadn't been paid for so he pulled out his beat-up wallet and a credit card and paid for the room. He didn't have time to change clothes or clean up before he had to speak. Since his flight had been delayed, he just left his bag. Then he ran back out the door and was gone. Quiet. Humble. No demands. No complaints. No hoopla. No time for a shave or shoeshine. Too bad, because I would have shined his shoes.

The Bible says to give honor where honor is due. I've heard you can tell a lot about a country, a culture or a society by whom it honors. Do we honor babies, or do we kill them? Do we respect and revere the aged people in our midst? Do we teach our children to respect their parents and those in authority? Do we honor public office? How about those who protect our country by serving in the military and those who protect our lives, like police officers and firefighters?

What about the way we treat our pastors, priests and church staff? Paul asked the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus with gladness, and "hold such men in esteem." Jesus said in John 12:26, "If anyone serves me, him my Father will honor."

Pastors, priests, preachers or whatever we call them wear a lot of hats and probably deal with more trash than a garbage man. God says to honor them. Although nursery workers seem to be at the bottom (pun intended) of the church hierarchy, I personally admire anyone who voluntarily changes the dirty diapers of other people's babies. I'd also put an extra star in the crowns of those who minister in jails and prisons.

So next time I see Nicky Cruz, I'm going to tell him I appreciate the awesome work he's doing. Or since I may not see the Rev. Cruz again, I'm going to try to show a little more appreciation for the admirable folks God has put around me -- like my own pastor.

~ June Seabaugh attends Christ Church of the Heartland in Cape Girardeau.