Today, Practise Kindness

Image by B Tal via Flickr

Make every effort to show kindness
2 Peter 1:5-7

Have you noticed that the busier you get the less you seem to show kindness to others? That's because kindness is 'the fruit of the Spirit,' not a product of the flesh (Galatians 5:22). Kindness doesn't happen in a vacuum, or as the result of a good Sunday morning sermon. You have to practice it. You have to do what Peter says: 'Make every effort to [show]...kindness.'

Before William McKinley became President of the United States he was riding to his congressional office one morning on a tram. A sick woman got on and unable to find a seat, clutched an overhead strap next to one of McKinley's political colleagues. Pathetically this colleague hid behind his newspaper to avoid offering her his seat. Immediately McKinley rose, gave her his seat and took her place in the aisle. Years later when he was President this same colleague was recommended for the position of ambassador but McKinley refused. He said, 'If his kindness is of the quality he showed that morning on the tram, I fear what he might do representing us in a foreign land.' The disappointed congressman never did learn why McKinley chose someone else for the job.

What good are tireless efforts fuelled by personal ambition or a desire to serve that's rooted in a need to control? Face it; without kindness what good are all our titles, traditions, testimonies and theology? If you don't know the answer here it is: 'If I had the gift of prophecy and knew all about...the future, knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would it do?' (1 Corinthians 13:2 TLB). So today, make up your mind to practice kindness!

Copied from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Comments

Kim S in SC said…

Thank you for the reminder! It is always a blessing to be treated with kindness and even more to treat others with it. Praise HIM!

30 January 2008 at 21:16

Barbara said…

Well after that word I could always send you a chocolate bar if you like Mike!!!! Wonder which one I would choose.

30 January 2008 at 21:20

Patti Blount said…

I find that when I am anxious or fearful that I have a hard time being kind. Anytime my spirit is ruffled, out goes the kindness. I really work on keeping my insides peaceful, even if that means removing myself from things that are too stressful for me because I know how I can get, and I don't want to hurt anyone. Lately, though, the Lord has been helping me deal with the stresses by His power. But,there's no doubt, I have to call on Him.

30 January 2008 at 23:05

zakscloset said…

thank you mike! this is just what i needed today!!!

30 January 2008 at 23:55

TMM said…

The key to show kindness is to have a revelation of God's kindness towards "you". When "you" actually experience that kindness....His RICH mercy that is propelled by His LOVE... then and only then can we love like He does.

So many Christians are getting back into doing this in their flesh.They have head knowledge that God loves them but has never experienced it

Sidharth

31 January 2008 at 01:49

michaelonbass said…

Sometimes I think simple acts of kindness or just a passing smile are among the best reflections of the Lord we can give people.

31 January 2008 at 01:53

dot said…

Nice post! I've really been working on this lately. I think I'm like Patti when I get anxious or fearful.

31 January 2008 at 02:58

J. Andrew Lockhart said…

I agree with the others - I need to spend more time working on this. Thanks.

31 January 2008 at 03:17

ChrisJ said…

I like that thought, that kindness is a fruit of the spirit not a work of the flesh. I too think stress is the enemy of kindness. The average person's life is too full of stress brought about by 'busy-ness'.

Been there, done that!

31 January 2008 at 08:03

A Bit of the Blarney said…

I have found that kindness begets kindness. Or as one of our friends is want to say, "What goes around, comes around." Kindness is not done, however, for reward. Although it does make one feel "good" when the act is done. Without love, kindness is like hot air in a balloon. That feeling is fleeting. It lingers in "love". Good day!!

31 January 2008 at 11:16

Gudl said…

Good word and good reminder! Thank you!!

31 January 2008 at 13:05

Shosannah said…

Kindness is so underaed, yet it is so integral to Christs message.
Another wonderful post Mike:0)

31 January 2008 at 13:50

Happyone said…

When you are kind to someone, you yourself feel good too. I think being kind as a ripple effect. When someone makes you feel good, you just want to pass it along. :-)

31 January 2008 at 17:08