Love in Action: Honour

There is something special that happens when you honour your leaders.
There is something REALLY special that happens when a whole room of people honours their leaders.
I got to witness it yesterday.
I am blessed to be part of a church family that believes in honour.
They don't just believe in honour; they live and breathe honour.
Day in and day out, I have seen and experienced the leaders and mentors in this church honouring individuals, including myself. That is something you don't get everywhere, unfortunately.

I was curious about the meaning of the word, so I looked it up. Here are some definitions and synonyms that were fitting:

a showing of usually merited respect; one whose worth brings respect or fame; a source of credit or distinction; giving recognition; respect; esteem; acclaim; praise; reverence; admiration

It can be personal as well as corporate.
It should not hinge on whether the person necessarily deserves the honour or not.
It is something that, as Christ-followers, we should work on cultivating everywhere we go.
It is an act of humility; it's about putting someone else above yourself (Romans 12:10 NIV).
It is powerful; withholding it is deadly.

Honour breeds honour.

Many of the leaders I went up to honour have been key people that have welcomed me with open arms, have made me feel at home here, and have spoken and poured into my life in one way or another. As I went up to honour them, most turned around and honoured me right back! They were there, doing what they do, before I could even get a word in, ha!

But that's just it: honour breeds honour.

When leaders themselves walk in honour and exercise "the practice" of honour, they set the culture.
A culture of honour makes everyone feel valued and worthwhile; it sees and calls out "the gold" in someone else's life.
A culture of honour enables: it sees the potential inside of you and (gently) pushes you into your destiny.
A culture of honour encourages you to pursue more, as you see the man or woman of God you were meant to be.
A culture of honour is a safe place to learn and grow.

1 Peter 2:17 instructs us to "Honour everyone." (ESV) and Romans 12:10 tells us to "Outdo one another in showing honour"(ESV).
I want to be known as one who honours. One who honours the young, the old, and everyone in between, especially the leaders and mentors in my life whose authority I am under.
Because there is something special that happens when you honour your leader.
And there is something REALLY special that happens when a whole room of people honours their leaders.