After you, please

It used to be said that one unique quality of the British was our willingness to queue and to do so politely and patiently. I don't know whether this was testament to good manners, humility or respect. Whatever it was, it seems to be diminishing these days.

Last week I was heading out to Reading. The journey around the M25 was a real drag; hold-ups and delays meant I was running late for my appointment. At the junction onto the M4 the slip way is a 2-lane road which narrows to one lane as it joins the new motorway. The build up of traffic meant there was a tail back on the slip road. A guy just in front of me in his Toyota sports, in the outside lane, decided he would drive level with the car to his left, holding the cars up behind him even though his lane was moving faster. This created a gap in front of him. The cares behind grew increasingly impatient. The young woman immediately behind started shouting, swearing and engaging in a bout of 'middle finger saluting' (if you get my meaning!). Eventually, frustrated and annoyed, she pulled over into the other lane. The Merc who took her place was less patient and tried to force the driver off the road. A drag race ensued and the Merc won, edging the Toyota guy out of the way. As I watched the show it left me wondering what was this all about? No one actually got there any sooner - the traffic was solid, for heaven's sake!

The following morning I sat in prayers at IHQ, taking up my usual seat next to the window so I could look out of the window and watch the world in Queen Victoria Street. After a few minutes a couple of police motorbikes appeared and stopped the traffic. Drivers hurrying to get to work were brought to a halt. A few minutes later a limo carrying someone 'important' sailed around the queue and past the lesser mortals trying to get to work and earn a crust. They didn't look very happy about it!

We don't find it easy to give way to others, yet the Bible (Romans 12:10) talks about 'in honour preferring one another'. That might be easy when we genuinely have respect for someone else, but what about those who we maybe don't actually look up to? I leave you with a couple of translations of that verse. I wonder what this says to you, today?

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. (the Message)

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (New Living Translation)

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. (NIV)