Would you rather people refer to you as nice or as kind? I’ve been thinking about this today because my church is studying the Book of Galatians and Pastor Steve is currently teaching on the fruits of the spirit. If you start in Chapter 5, read verses 16-26 then meet me back here.
OK – welcome back. Kindness is one of the fruits, a virtue that gives evidence that we belong to Jesus and have the Holy Spirit for direction. I know a lot of nice people but ‘nice’ sounds like a state of being. There is no action or true evidence. A person can look nice, seem nice, but may not be nice. Kindness is directional. Being kind apart from other people makes no sense. Kindness is inconvenient and requires that I am present in someone’s life. Kindness might look like forgiving someone who does not deserve it. Listening to a rant from a friend who hates the politician you plan to vote for requires kindness. There is an element of messiness when we mix and mingle.
I hope someone out there today is thinking of me and might consider me as kind. Tomorrow I will be looking for someone who needs me to grow in the area of kindness. It can be deliberate and can become a habit. Thank you Pastor Steve.