The Big Bang Theory

In season three of the series, The Twilight Zone[i], episode three entitled, “The Shelter,” is given this description: “A suburban dinner party is interrupted by a bulletin warning of an impending nuclear attack.[ii] As neighbors scramble to prepare themselves, they turn against the one family that installed a permanent bomb shelter.” [iii]

The cigarette-smoking narrator provides this perceptive commentary at the conclusion of this episode: “For civilization to survive, the human race has to remain civilized.”

Can you think of a recent time when things got bad for you, and your behavior was anything less than civil. Does it amaze you that God knows the imperfect you (with all your issues), and still loves you unconditionally?

Even if you are rather civil person in times of stress, does your respect extend to treating others fairly (and yourself with the respect)? Scripture has this to say on this topic:

ü “Playing favorites is always a bad thing; you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.[iv]

ü “God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up His own mind.”[v]

“Nothing irritates others [and the Almighty] as quickly as being rude. Rudeness means unnecessarily saying or doing things that unpleasant for another person.

To be rude is to act in an unbecoming, embarrassing, or irritating manner…No one enjoys being around a rude person. Rude behavior may seem insignificant to the person who is doing it, but it is unpleasant to those on the receiving end…”[vi]

A scene from "The Shelter." Neighbors are trying to break into the shelter for safety. What would you do if your family was with you?  Eventually the warning is called off among awkward silence.

[i] For more information on this series, please see the post entitled “Breaking Dawn.”

[ii] A show on CBS about nerds..

[iii] Show summary complements of Hulu.

[iv] Proverbs 28:21, MSG

[v] Romans 2:11, MSG

[vi] The Love Dare Day by Day by the Kendrick brothers, “Day 64: Love is not rude”