Hope Amidst HardshipSample

Boldly Choosing Kindness

The reality in which we find ourselves these days is one of polarization. It’s become easier to be angry and point fingers than to show grace. And yet, in the time we live, kindness can seem like a weak, almost irrelevant piece of the puzzle. With so much going on and so much to solve, what will kindness achieve? 

Kindness is an ember. It’s small, but it’s mighty. The reality is, we can’t have kindness without respect, and we can’t have respect without the acknowledgement that our sisters and brothers around us are fellow image bearers of God. As Jesus’ ambassadors, we are called to clothe ourselves with His kind of kindness. This type of kindness is courageous and bold. It chooses to see the humanity in a neighbor, treating them with gentleness and understanding. It chooses to be slow to speak and quick to listen. It chooses to see the image of God rather than the list of differing viewpoints. 

When we posture ourselves to consider others first, instead of considering ourselves first, hope can ignite like wildfire.  

Pray: 

God of kindness, I admit that it is sometimes not easy to show your love to people. It’s easy for my initial response to be one of judgment, protection, and defensiveness. In a world that is so divided, it’s becoming harder to see how small seeds of love and kindness can change the conversation. Jesus, in your time on earth, you treated every person with dignity, kindness, and compassion. What a beautiful example of what it means to be human. You have already given me the ability, through your Holy Spirit, to extend kindness and compassion to my neighbors. I just need the strength to put it into action. Would you help me, in the best and worst of times, to choose to speak words of life rather than words of destruction? Would you shepherd me as I strive to be more like you, gentle Savior. When I walk in the way of love, there is abundant hope to be found.  

Amen.