“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.”                                                                                                                                               Hebrews 10:24 (NRSV)

There was an occasion where I had to meet with an attorney for business reasons. The attorney was representing someone else. Throughout our conversation, the attorney was condescending, offensive, and persistently pushy. He managed to push all of my buttons. He knew just where to press to push me close to the edge – close to my breaking point. He provoked me to anger. Consequently, I left the meeting feeling broken, mad, and disappointed in myself. 

Of course, later I realized that was the intent. In trying to get what he wanted for his client, the lawyer was willing and knowledgeable enough to know all the right buttons to push in an effort to find the right combination to set me off. 

Now, the scenario with the lawyer is a rare occurrence – thank goodness. But, in other everyday situations I find myself provoked in much the same way, and I am sure that there are times I am the one doing the provoking as well – especially at home.

With those I am closest to I know exactly which buttons to push to get different responses. At times, I continue to push as I would the button on an elevator that fails to stay lit. Pressing and pressing. Most of the time it isn’t intentional. I don’t realize what I am doing until it is too late. The end result is an argument or hard feelings. 

When I consider provoking others and what that means, the first thought is negative: fights, arguments, taunting. The dreaded pushing of buttons. It wasn’t until I encountered this scripture that I understood to provoke someone could be a good thing. 

According to Hebrews 10:24, we should consciously make an effort to incite and provoke others to love and act in favor with one another. 

We always mention random acts of kindness. Maybe those shouldn’t be so random. We need to look for ways to push buttons that cause others to respond lovingly. Pay it forward. 

With this new knowledge, I pray that I will be more conscientious of how I draw reactions from others. I want to provoke goodness from those around me. I also pray others will push my buttons. The buttons that will make me a better person, one who responds with love and grace. 

Pushing buttons has definitely taken on a whole new meaning for me.