Sandpaper or Soft Cloth: How Do You Rub Others?

Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

Props:  piece of medium sandpaper and piece of silky material

            You will be blessed if you are strong in God and gentle with others.   Your attitude toward others makes all the difference in the world.  Some people have sandpaper attitudes and others have silky attitudes.  What’s the difference?  Well, to explain that, I need a volunteer.  (Choose a volunteer to join you on the stage.  Instruct him to hold out his arm.  Lightly rub it with the sandpaper.)  How does that make you feel?  Does it feel wonderful?  Couldn’t you just wear an outfit made out of this stuff?  How about using it to wash your face with?  (Allow volunteer to respond.  Then begin to rub his arm with the silky material.)  Now how does that feel?  Wouldn’t you like to wear that around all day?  Of course!  There is a big difference between sandpaper and silk, and there is a big difference in how it makes you feel.

            Your attitude is the same way: It can be like sandpaper or like silk.  If you’re always rough with people, calling them names and pushing them around, being rude to them or even just not saying anything at all, your attitude is like sandpaper.  God will not bless you if you’re rough with people.  But you can also have an attitude of silk.  You can be gentle with people, loving them and making them feel better by saying kind things.  You can be friendly to those who need it the most.  And most importantly, you can decide to have an attitude of silk even with people who have a sandpaper attitude.  When other people treat you unkindly, you can return it with kindness.  God will bless you if you have an attitude of silk, if you are gentle with others.  Make up your mind to be strong in God and gentle with others.