As Christians, we are called to live a life of kindness. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit that we are expected to bear, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. But what does it mean to be kind? And how can we cultivate this virtue in our lives?
One way to understand kindness is to look at the example of Jesus. Throughout His ministry, He showed kindness to those He encountered – healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and forgiving sinners. He even showed kindness to His enemies, praying for those who persecuted Him and ultimately laying down His life for the salvation of all.
In the song “Kindness” by Steven Curtis Chapman, we are reminded of this call to kindness. The lyrics encourage us to reflects the kindness of Christ – a life that is marked by sacrificial love, compassion, and generosity.
“So, when they stand and tell the stories / Of who we are and what we’ve done / Of a thousand things that we could leave behind us / If they say just one word / Well, let that word be kindness.”
Listen to the song below and be inspired to live a life of kindness.
Live a life of kindness
Kindness isn’t just about big acts of service or sacrifice. It can also be found in the small moments of everyday life – a smile, a kind word, a listening ear. These small gestures can have a big impact, both on the person receiving them and on our own hearts.
So how can we cultivate kindness in our lives? One practical way is to practice gratitude. When we take time to notice the blessings in our lives, we are more likely to feel a sense of joy and contentment. And when we are content, we are more likely to be kind to those around us.
Another way to cultivate kindness is to be intentional about looking for opportunities to serve others. Whether it’s volunteering at a local charity, offering to help a neighbour with their groceries, or simply taking time to listen to a friend in need, these acts of service can help us develop a heart of kindness.
Ultimately, kindness is a reflection of the love of Christ in our lives. As we seek to follow him and live out his commands, we will naturally become more kind and compassionate towards those around us. So let us be known for our kindness, and let us always seek to show the love of Christ to a world in need.
The Exeter Kindness Mural
To find out what one local community in the UK are doing to encourage people to live a life of kindness see the Exeter Kindness mural. This aims to spread a message of generosity by reproducing one of Charlie Mackesy‘s famous illustrations on a prominent wall in the city centre. This is a crowdfunding project that is seeking funding for the wall, as well as funds for charity.
Also read How helping others helps to boost your own happiness?
