Day 2: The High Cost of Being Kind and Good
When a person is unkind to another person, there is a cost involved. First, there is a cost to the person who we were unkind to. A little of their value and self-esteem were taken away.
So many people are walking around wounded because of the unkind words of others. Words that may have been spoken decades ago are still running as reruns over and over in that person’s mind.
Second, there is a cost to us. Each time we are unkind and strike out in anger with unkind words, our hearts become harder. We become less patient and understanding. We become more cynical and skeptical.
There is also a cost to the kingdom of God. When a Christ-follower is not kind to another person the kindness of Christ fades from view.
But when we respond with kindness in an unkind situation, the value of Christ and His kingdom skyrockets. In a world where temper tantrums abound, when a person is calm and kind in a difficult situation, people take notice.
There is also a cost when we choose not to be good and be the hands and feet of Jesus. There is a cost to the person because they still will have their needs unmet.
There is a cost to us because we won’t feel the excitement of being used by God to help someone else, and our faith in God will shrink a little bit.
There is a cost to the kingdom of God. He wanted you to move into action, but you didn’t so the kingdom of God stalled out because you didn’t do what you knew you needed to do.
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his Root Beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a Root Beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave. Before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around and ran back to the old man and hugged him. The old man gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?”
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old man; also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God. And then he said, “He's much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, smile, kind word, listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring. All of these things have the potential to turn a life around.
Who could you be kind to?
Who could you reach out to with a kind word or gesture?
Who could you be God to in a world that is missing kindness and goodness at every turn?
There are a lot of things in life one might regret, but you will never regret being kind and helping others.
Time Out:
Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" Romans 2:4
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