Are you playing favorites?

This week’s devotions are about favoritism. Maybe you’ve been the victim (or the recipient) of favoritism at home, in the classroom, or elsewhere. While we can’t always help how we’re treated, we can most certainly help how we treat others.

So think about it for a minute. Do you treat everyone the same? I mean, really and truly the same—regardless of what he looks like, how she smells, what kind of car he drives, how good (or bad) her grades are, how much money his family has, or what kind of religion she follows?

It’s hard to treat all people with love and respect, isn’t it? I love what the Book of James has to say about favoritism. Actually, I don’t love it because it puts a big ol’ burden square on my shoulders—the duty to not play favorites, especially at church. You probably read part of James 2 earlier this week. I’d love for you to read James 2:1-10 now. . . I’ll wait. Feeling convicted after reading that passage? Me too.

Today is Wednesday. That means that you’ll most likely be at a youth group activity tonight. How will you not show favoritism? Will you be nice to that weird kid who always tries to be near you and your friends? Will you try to pay attention even when the leader you don’t really like is speaking? Will you be kind to the new student who appears lost and confused, despite the weird clothes he has on? Will you encourage the student who looks sad, even though she isn’t your friend? Will you stop focusing on your crush across the room and listen to your friend who is right next to you?

Yes, it’s probably a little easier to be kind to your friends (at least I hope so!), but don’t forget that God doesn’t show favoritism, and neither should you. So today (and every day), go looking for the people you normally wouldn’t pay attention to or respond to with love and respect. Treat them how God would want you to. And let us know how it goes by leaving us a comment!