Jump Start # 4135
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
I’ve been in a hotel this week. On the road preaching. At breakfast, three tables away from where I was sitting I could tell you all about someone’s father and how difficult he has been. I know this because the person on the phone was talking so loud. She finally finished the phone call and immediately called someone else. Why she didn’t stay in her room or go outside I do not understand. Then walking back to my room, I saw someone leaving their room with a massive dog. I know people love their pets, but when that pet isn’t yours, it’s hard to be a fan. I’ve stayed in hotel rooms that smelled like wet dog. Not a great experience n my way of thinking.
That’s how the day started, loud conversations and dogs in the hallway. It’s enough to make one grumpy, complaining and miserable the rest of the day. For some, it’s enough to make them miserable the rest of the trip. But our verse came to my mind as I returned to my room this morning. I generally focus on the end of this passage, the forgiveness factor. Forgiving just as we have been forgiven. But on this day, it’s the front end of this passage that caught my attention. Be kind. Be tender-hearted. There are times when you feel like saying things, but you don’t. You don’t, because likely what you will say will not be kind. Why poke a bear and start a war when it is not necessary.
And, I’ve noticed this about our times. Not only does everyone have an opinion about things, they feel compelled to share that opinion with the world. And, when you don’t have the same opinion as they do, they’ll let you know. Mention politics and the battle lines are drawn. Talk about drivers on the highway, the price of things today, the kind of movies being produced, the construction zones, the temperature in the church building, the type of hymns led on a Sunday—and just about everyone has an opinion and most feel the need to express it.
Be kind to one another. One has to wonder what God had in mind when He sent those words to the apostle. Be kind. Did the Lord see something missing in the relationships among His people? Was there tension between Jewish and Gentile Christians? Or, was the problem coming from the masters and how they were treating their slaves? Many of the slaves may have been Christians.
Be kind. Give some thought to that:
First, kindness comes from the inside out. You can have two kids who are fighting over a toy and mom will tell one to share the toy with the other. He’ll do it, but he certainly doesn’t want to. In fact, he may hand the toy over, while sticking his tongue out at the other kid. Kindness is something we choose. It is a quality of the heart. It begins from the foundation of God and grows as one loves others. And, that’s the key. When selfish people only think of themselves, they won’t be kind. They will do things that benefits themselves and only themselves.
Second, kindness must not stay in our hearts. Until it is reflected and shown, no one else knows that you are kind. So, the choice of words, the tone of our voice, our facial expression, the amount of time we give all show others kindness. One never has to say a word, but all it takes is a look and someone will know that you are not kind. The frown. The stink eye. The rolled eyes. Those are all the early signs of a volcano that is about to erupt. Not only do they show that you are not happy, it reveals that what is about to come from your lips will not be kind.
Third, we do not have to express our displeasure, our opinions and our attitudes in every situation. Somehow we get this when referring to the world, but within the congregation, we feel that it is our duty to express our feelings about everything. Any given Sunday morning in church one is bound to hear, “It’s freezing in here,” and at the same time, “I’m burning up.” I was in one church building where the air conditioner fans blew so strong, that it’d turn the pages in my Bible. I had to put a pen on my Bible while I was preaching to keep the page where I wanted it to be. Get to know your place. Dress accordingly. If it runs cold, put on layers. If it runs hot, wear fewer layers. Make it work.
You don’t have to express your displeasure about the songs that were led, or who prays or the length of the sermon. You do that enough and your family is going to wonder why you even go. Be kind.
Kindness is what leads some to send a card or a text thanking someone for what they did. Kindness is what compels someone to buy a gift card to someone to let them know how much they are loved. Kindness helps a mother who is trying to balance diaper bags, kids, Bibles and bags of books. Kindness asks the shepherds if there is anything that can be done for them this week. Kindness pulls us together. Kindness keeps us coming back. Kindness builds relationships.
There are some who are just good at being kind. Others need to work at it.
Be kind to one another. Can people say that’s you?
Roger