got fruit? got kindness?
August 4, 2021
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;
Galatians 5: 22-23
The phrase, “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty,” has been around since 1983 and its purpose was to encourage anonymous deeds of consideration and caring as a way of “making someone’s day”. No specific pattern was to be followed, no set number of deeds was prescribed other than to be kind to others because kindness positively influences people.
I first saw the phrase, “random act of kindness”, on a billboard along a major highway. The advertisement was simple and direct: “Do random acts of kindness.” This idea seemed like a great way to pleasantly surprise someone by doing an anonymous good deed. Since I was already on the highway, I knew immediately what my random act of kindness would be. When it was time to exit the road, I would pay the toll for the car directly behind me- a kind deed not original with me. It was such a good feeling to imagine how that person would try to make sense out of my random act of kindness pre E-ZPass days!
Random acts of kindness not only pay, but they positively impact intelligence and school performance. Wharton professor, Adam Grant, in his book, Give and Take, professed that people who are kind and giving to others, can actually increase their own intelligence quotient more so than people who tend to take from others. Grant’s research suggested that those who volunteer their time to help other people solve their problems actually increase their own ability to solve problems, and as a result, become more intelligent. Other research suggests that t students who learn about lesson topics such as “getting along with others” and “random acts of kindness”, even if just for 15 minutes a day, show improvement on national standardized math and reading tests. Random acts of kindness, taught in a not so random way, can have a positive impact on school performance.
Perhaps more important than increased intelligence and school performance is the role kindness plays in our spiritual wardrobe.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Colossians 3: 12
As I reflect upon the command in Colossians to put on kindness, it seems that random acts of kindness are consistent pieces of a spiritual wardrobe for God’s chosen ones. While it is fun to surprise people with unexpected consideration and care, we need to be so consistent and predictable in being kind to others that they would be surprised if we were not. A kind heart should be prominently worn on the sleeve of every Christian’s wardrobe so that others see it coming a mile away!
As we ponder our own deeds of kindness, it is good to reflect upon the ultimate kindness of Jesus Christ.
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3: 4-5
Nothing we have ever accomplished in our own will merit the favor and kindness of God. He loved us and saved us despite our deeds, not because of them.
So how are you doing? got fruit? got kindness?