More than a random act of kindness
Who doesn’t love a random act of kindness?
Earlier this year I walked into a coffee shop in the city, ordered my standard cappuccino and then was told it had already been covered. Someone standing there waiting for their coffee had agreed to pay for the next five customers as well and mine was included. I looked around wondering who it was, who to thank; but of course, that’s not the point of random acts of kindness. They’re random blessings on others. I remember being so appreciative and even a little inspired to shower kindness and generosity on others.
You may not be aware but there is actually a Random Acts of Kindness Day - February 17 every year - and it exists to inspire people to spread love, compassion, and positivity through small, unanticipated acts of kindness. Now I reckon that is really beautiful, and perhaps something we could get behind. But the fact we even need a special day of the year on which we are reminded and encouraged to be kind, actually says something pretty dire about humanity.
Kindness does not come naturally or regularly from the human heart. We know that not just from experience but also by the fact that it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) - when we trust Christ and the Spirit indwells us, one of the things he does is drive kindness in our hearts because in our natural state it’s just not there. So, while we might be able to be kind from time to time, only in God’s strength can we actually become kind.
The fact is, real enduring kindness requires intervention from the outside, both from God’s Spirit and also his Son stepping into our mean world, showing us a different way, and doing it, climactically at the cross, for our eternal salvation and joy.
So kindness toward each other begins with God’s kindness toward us in Christ. Only in Jesus can we really find the resources to overcome evil with good, triumph over annoyance with patience, and rise above meanness with kindness.
In other words, the heart of how we become kinder — not with free, random, annual kindness, but with strong, genuine, Christian kindness — is knowing and enjoying the kindness of God toward us. Fortunately, the kindness of God has appeared! (Titus 3:4)
This is our message this Christmas. We all want a kinder world, but you will only truly find it in Jesus who actually embodied it, showed it, and empowers us to be it. Amazing.
We want to share this message with all of St Ives so starting this Sunday our Christmas flyers will be in the foyer waiting for you to take a bundle and deliver to homes throughout the suburb. You’ll get a map and most of the routes take about 45 minutes to do. So, grab some flyers and let’s tell St Ives that the kindness of God has appeared!
The flyer has all the Christmas information you will need to get along yourself and invite friends to experience the kindness of God. Here’s a quick reminder of all that is happening:
Blue Christmas will be on 7.30pm Tuesday 17th December.
This is a wonderful moment to pause on the cusp of Christmas and reflect on the year. It’s particularly helpful for those who have had a more difficult year as we spend time reflecting on the joys and sorrows of life.
Then, Christmas Eve is on a Tuesday so our services will be:
10am - Traditional Christmas
5pm - Kids Christmas Eve
7.30pm - Candlelight Carols
11pm - Upbeat Christmas
Christmas Day will be just one service at 9am.
All this information and more is on the website at www.christchurch.com.au/christmas so you can get it all in your diary now.
So grab some flyers, and let’s help St Ives and beyond see that the kindness of the Lord appears!
