Midweek Praise
Wednesday May 20
Kindness
Wednesday May 20
Kindness
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.
But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.
A Prayer for Kindness
Lord, even when the world around us is swirling and broken, thank you for being true, kind, and a foundation to lean on. Today, we boldly and humbly approach you asking for you kindness to meet us. Amen
Reflection
What does kindness mean to you? Kindness is underrated. We equate it with being nice or pleasant, as though it is mainly about smiling, getting along, and not ruffling feathers. It seems a rather mundane virtue. But the Bible presents a vastly different, and compelling, portrait of kindness.
When Paul laid out his case to the church in Corinth that he was a true apostle, he did so by detailing the trials he endured for the sake of the gospel, the inner spiritual life God granted him despite this suffering, and the God-produced spiritual fruit in his life (2 Corinthians 6:1-13). Surprisingly, kindness made his list of spiritual fruit. “You want proof I’m an apostle?” he said, in effect. “Okay, here it is: I’m kind.”
Kindness may not be pleasant. In fact, it may feel more like a blow to the head. “Let a righteous man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it” ) Psalm 141:5). Jesus called the Pharisees a brood of vipers. That was not pleasant, but it was kind, because Jesus was exposing their sin. A kind physician cuts deep to get your cancer.
Kindness often starts with ourselves, and we share this with others. We must continue this daily. Everyone is going through the same at the moment with a horrendous virus spreading round the world and were all in hope that one day it will go away and those who have been affected by it will have been healed. Unlike this virus, kindness is something that we want to spread and share with others. It does not have to be a big thing that you do, it can even be as small as, a hello passing in the street. Go into the following days, weeks and months sharing God’s word and acts of kindness wherever you have the opportunity.
For children:
