There is a famine in my house. Well, maybe not a famine…but definitely a shortage. It’s not bread or milk or even eggs, although we are certainly eating less of them lately. It’s a shortage on kindness. Kindness and goodness. And it’s mainly affecting my kids. Now I don’t want you to think that my two adorable children are vicious bullies. They’re not. They have the capacity to be sweet, loving, thoughtful young people. But like so many siblings, they have this seemingly innate ability to tease, pick-on, and otherwise annoy each other. They get focused on their own wants and stop being generous, considerate, or helpful. As an only child, this is kind of new territory for me. (I never had anyone to ignore or be ignored by.) So many days I silently scream, “Can’t you all just get along?!?!?!”
Maybe that’s just me, though. Maybe the people in your house get along swimmingly. If so, take a minute and praise God! But even if you have a perfectly peaceful place, I’m guessing you’ve still witnessed this lack of kindness and goodness.
The rude remark you overheard one committee member make about another.
The kid who pushed a smaller child on the playground.
That person in the office who never gets invited to go to lunch with everyone else.
Someone’s “too tired” to help a friend move, “too cool” to help a classmate pick up the books he dropped, or “too busy” to reach out to a neighbor going through hard times.
Maybe it sounds more familiar than you thought.
But here’s the rub: no matter how we may have justified our own kind of unkind behaviors, the reality is the gentleness of Jesus requires kindness. It requires goodness. You can’t be gentle in our time without being kind and good.
Don't believe me? Have someone put on their best southern accent, and in the most polite manner read this sentence to another member of your family: “You are ugly and can’t do anything right.” Doesn’t matter how “gently” you try to say it, it’s still mean!
Or how about this. In the most sincere attitude you can generate say, “I’m sorry you’re sick and need help, but I’m just too busy to do anything for you.” It’s still not good, right?
Is it understandable? Maybe. But is it the gentle love of Jesus? I have to go with No.
Read what Paul has to say in this week’s passage: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2)
As followers of Christ, we all want to follow Christ. That means we want to be like Him. That means we make our choices based on love just like Jesus did. Before we respond to someone, we should ask, “Is this a loving thing to do? Does it show love or share love?” If so, I guarantee it will be kind and good. It will require some sacrifice at times, but that’s just like Jesus.
Paul continues: “ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Eph. 5:15-17,20)
We don’t have time to waste, families. We need to be wise in how we choose to walk, to live as Christian families in this world. We need to make the best use of the time we have with people and maximize Jesus’ impact on their lives. And always remember to thank the Father for everything we’ve been blessed with!
How can you be a family that runs on kindness and goodness? What can you do together to show kindness and goodness inside your home as well as outside? Are there questions or people you’re dealing with even now that you need to consider what the loving response is?
End your time together praying for help from the Holy Spirit to be the good and kind family God needs.
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