This just in from our global online tribe: “I am nice to everyone but it doesn’t seem to reach the level of Christ-like kindness I see in others at my church. What am I missing?”
This is what I “GOD KINDNESS,” a Christ-like attribute that all of us value and want to express. But as the questioner is seeing in his own life, it does not come naturally.
Let’s unpack that truth.
Our salvation was made possible by the supreme act of kindness made by Jesus on the cross. This is God’s clarion call for us to be kind. But we CANNOT do it on our own.
Being kind is not like turning on the kitchen light. Kindness is a deep character trait that can only come from emulating Christ.
There must be a power beyond our own that turns on GOD’S KINDNESS in our heart. Without a supernatural invasion by the Holy Spirit, polishing our “be nice” skills will not generate GOD KINDNESS.
The source of genuine GOD KINDNESS is, by our faithful trust, activating the Holy Spirit.
All of us should be striving to pass on and leave a LEGACY of committed, continuous, and Christ-like kindness.
Just recently someone in our global online tribe told me about a woman in Utah named Jean Hendricksen who personifies GOD KINDNESS day in and day out…year in and year out. She just celebrated her 91st birthday and continues to look—and find—ways to express GOD KINDNESS every single day.
Jean handed down that gift and legacy to her daughter Jenny Haase who has committed to make sure it lives on.
That’s the kind of KINDNESS LEGACY we should all seek.
I ask God to envelope my soul with his power to be kind and help me be on the alert for opportunities to encourage others through his love.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What can you do today that will begin your legacy of GOD KINDNESS?
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
