Kindness Matters…

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Proverbs 3:3‭-‬4 NLT

We live in a world where we all strive to be the center of attention. We want desperately to be noticed, appreciated, loved, admired. Favor is something that is longed for and cherished when found.

I watched a beautiful young woman address our youth group last night. She recently graduated as Valedictorian of one of our local high schools. She pointed out that wanting to stand out in high school typically requires fitting in to a certain group of students. You see, popularity requires conformity. She pointed out that the irony is that the only way we truly stand out in this broken world is to shine for God. This requires us to run His race and simply not conform to this world.

Loyalty and kindness are quickly becoming irrelevant in this world of self. To be loyal requires trust, integrity and selflessness. When we add kindness to the mix, we find humility in action. Yet, we see God ask us to bind loyalty and kindness around our necks and write them in our hearts. In other words, allow these traits to permeate our hearts and our minds. When we put these two things into practice, then and only then, do we find favor with God and those around us. Our reputation hinges on emulating Christ in these two acts of love.

Father, help me stand out in this dark world. Permeate me with loyalty to You, Your Words and Jesus’ example. Help me be a kind and gentle spirit to those around me today. And always. Amen.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT