Powerful Kindness
Ephesians 4:21,22 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.
There are few things in this world that are at the same time simpler, easier and cheaper to deliver, than good, old-fashioned kindness. If that’s the case, why are people so rude to each other these days?
I think it’s true. As we find ourselves more and more under pressure, under the gun as it were, we become more inwardly focussed and less prone to being kind. When my needs matter more than your needs, when me getting ahead in the line is more important than you being served, simple kindness goes out the window. And what takes over is a kind of dog-eat-dog abruptness, rudeness, pushiness.
My local café had this little piece of wisdom written on a blackboard outside its front door:
Today you could be talking to someone who is trying their best not to fall apart. So whatever you do today, do it with kindness in your heart. ♥️
You and I have both had those sorts of days when it’s about all we can do, just to hold things together, simply to stop ourselves from falling apart. And on those days, the smallest, teensy-weeniest little act of kindness – a fleeting smile, a thank you to the young man serving you in the checkout, a wave to the barista on your way out of the café with “Hey, that was an awesome coffee” can light up someone’s world.
So, no matter how much pressure you find yourself under …
Ephesians 4:21 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.
But instead … Ephesians 4:22 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.
Because you could well be talking to someone today, who’s trying their best not to fall apart.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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