I give in to all the rages that seem to be part of living in the city. Road rage, queue rage, checkout rage, doing children's homework rage, rage at people who stand on escalators and won't let me pass.

I am enraged that I can justify my annoyance. I am so busy, doing important things and these people are slowing me down.

Busy-ness and an overblown concept of our own importance seem to legitimise impatient and hostility. 

Then I read Philippians 4:5. "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near". 

That has begun me thinking about where we excuse lack of courtesy, care and compassion. 

Here are some areas that immediately come to mind, along with some thoughts

"¢ answering emails. Why is it we respond only to emails that give us some advantage? It is so easy to scan the in box, open only those that look interesting, and act on those that give us some benefit. We justify this action because I get so many emails I cannot possibly respond to all, or think 'people just send off an email and dump their problems on me', so I am under no compulsion to reply; or I'm too busy now to answer so I'll deal with it later- and I never do. While there are many legitimate reasons as to why we may not respond to every email it raises the question though, of whether I am just seeking an easy pathway. My chaplaincy group at Moore College discussed this matter, and one man said it is just good relationship to acknowledge the receipt of emails.

"¢ phone calls. When I phone a person now I expect to get an answering machine. When I get the answering machine I expect that I have less than a 50/50 chance of receiving a call back. Answering machines are great and can mean that you deal with phone calls in batches, which is time efficient; but we need to respond. More than emails, a person takes time to phone, and so I try to respond to all phone calls. This is particularly important for pastors. To not answer phone calls puts distance between the pastor and the flock they serve. Pastors need to be contactable. 

"¢ after church time. Why do we push past many people to speak to the person we want to. Along the way there may be many who would greatly benefit from time with us, but we don't think about that. I have a goal and I won't be diverted. Then, at an appointed time we pull up stumps and leave the gathering. Why not stay and spend time with each other. This 'soft touch' ministry is often life transforming. We should see being available before and after gatherings of Christians as great ministry. 

In the end, our rage is self centred. My goals have been hindered. We commend the gospel by the Word of the Gospel, but our character and the manner of relationships is not optional as we do that.