Kindness is free. God gives it freely to us and it is easy and simple to dispense doses of it all along our day. Our ability, or inability, to be kind tells us about ourselves. Of course, kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-24) It is one part of a larger whole. When we walk in kindness we are demonstrating a level of love and self-control that tends to set people apart.
Walking in kindness shows something healthy about us, while the lack of kindness speaks to our brokenness. I am referring to humankind and to a deeper level of brokenness than most people enjoy thinking about. Distractions and self-medication are common preferences to dealing with our real issues.
The fact of the matter is, our brute nature is one of selfishness. We see it in ourselves, other individuals, family units, and on national, and global scales. The only real way to tame the brute in us is to yield to our Creator. We must get outside of our own needs and passions. That process begins when we choose to be God centered, because that is our source of kindness.
When we possess the complete fruit of the Spirit we posses integrity. One of Merriam-Webster’s definitions of integrity is, “the quality or state of being complete or undivided : COMPLETENESS.” That reminds me of another definition: “Nothing broken, nothing missing'” is what shalom means. We use shalom for peace, but it is so much more. Both of these speak to wholeness.
We all are broken and missing something of our best nature in some ways, not all of our own making. We live in a fallen world, but knowing Jesus and permitting God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to minister to our missing and broken bits allows healing and wholeness to come. With the power of the living God, and the kindness of others who have walked the path before us, the brute can be not only tamed, but eternally transformed. That is one of the miracles of becoming a new creation. Our increasingly integrated, new self grows daily in the fruit of the Spirit when we yield to the work of God in our lives.
I said kindness is free. To be honest, it is and it is not. It cost God the Father the life of His Son on the cross. It also costs us the choice of not responding to offense by being offensive in return. Sometimes it costs us time, money, or possessions. But because of that price paid by God, on our behalf, we can tap into eternal resources.
Beginning with a simple thank you to grocery store workers, a policeman, or any one we come in contact with, we can change a day for someone. We all hunger to be seen as people of worth. What has been freely given to us is something we can freely give.
If kindness is free, how can we share what we have received with others today?
