“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God is Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32
This week I read a quote about kindness that I liked. I thought you might enjoy it too. “Happiness is the new rich; peace is the new success; health is the new wealth; kindness is the new cool”. Or as our old friend Mark Twain once said;”Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
It concerns me to see how far America has fallen in such a short time. I am one of those who believe God has greatly blessed America. That in no way means we are without fault, sin, problems, etc. I have had the privilege of traveling to many places around the world. I would not trade any of them for my home here in America. We are a land of opportunity and everyone has the God given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I do not believe that our political system can provide the answers that our country needs right now. This will have to be a work of our Sovereign Father who works His will out in the history of mankind.
Now, back to “be kind to one another.” I am never surprised when people who are not part of God’s family act like they are not part of His family. I have been there and only by God’s grace has my life been changed. I am concerned when followers of Jesus do not act like followers of Jesus. Be kind to one another. That is not saying roll over and let someone continue doing wrong. It is saying “be kind”. The example I am chewing on at the moment is wearing mask or not wearing mask. How, in America, does wearing a mask rise to the level of a political controversy that causes people to act so mean? I really do understand the “how” we got to this point. I just find it hard to believe. We act as though to wear a mask or not wear a mask is reason enough to act snarky, uncivil, holier than thou. Our command to be kind to one another did not go away because you decide to wear a mask or not to wear a mask. By the way, the mask is just one current issue. Imagine trying to have a decent conversation about Black Lives Matter. Kindness and other Christlike virtues have left the room. It is like we have never lived in a world where people can hold different opinions and still be kind, civil and remain good friends. I suspect there are those who will read this, miss the point completely and be totally bent on explaining why they are right in what they believe.
I spend a lot of my time reminding myself and those I love to pray more, praise more and find a way to serve others more. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God is Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32. I hope you will be rich in happiness, successful in having peace, wealthy with good health and extra cool with being kind. Be so kind that even the deaf can hear you and the blind can see you.
Pastor Tom
