Slideshow image

In a dog-eat-dog world where the much misunderstood idea of an 'Alpha' (see this Ted Talk for a beautiful breakdown of the true Alpha Male in nature) is held up as an ideal of dominance and control, people of faith are called to another way - of compassion, welcome, mutuality, and above all, kindness. 

Kindness is an attribute of the Divine, variously translated in modern versions of the Bible as 'graciousness' or 'steadfast love', the old English word 'Lovingkindness' is often used to describe God's behaviour and attitude towards people. In acting kindly to one another we are reflecting the God in whose image we are made. 

Kindness is not weakness, it comes from a strength of character that seeks the well being of others and not just our own wants. It is linked to empathy, a trait encourages us to see beyond our own self-interest and enter deeply into the experiences of others - something that is tied in closely to Compassion, which comes from the Latin, meaning 'to suffer with'. Compassion is something to which Christians are called again and again in letters of the New Testament, and is shown repeatedly in the stories of how Jesus responds to many of his encounters with those in need. 

As one meme says 'in a world where you can be anything, be kind.'

...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Galatians 5.22-25 

 

Worship And Prayer
Observing Lent