Acts of Kindness

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Acts of Kindness

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” Aesop

Last year I met a man named Billy Ray who began each day in prayer and quiet time during which he asked God for his assignment for that day. God always led him to do something good (an act of kindness) for someone else. Billy Ray had lived a hard life and possessed no earthly treasures, but he was one of the happiest people I have ever met. Shortly after I met Billy Ray, he suddenly passed away. His acts of kindness did not get him to heaven, but they did enrich the lives of many others. His memorial service was attended by hundreds of people who gave personal testimonies of his impact on their lives. Their stories were of Billy Ray ministering to jail prisoners, encouraging addicts and repairing vehicles and homes for others. Bruce Wilkerson in his book “You Were Born for This” talks about how God uses people as vehicles to perform everyday miracles. I believe that God used Billy Ray to perform miracles for people in need.

In the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica he wrote “Brothers, do not grow weary in doing good!” In his letter to the church in Galatia he wrote “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. We are called to do good in all that we do. Have you ever felt that God has placed you in position to make a difference in someone else’s life? It could be as simple as a kind word or smile.
Our culture is in desperate need of people who are willing to see a need and take action to meet that need. I enjoy watching the news when they do stories of people who are making a huge positive difference in the world around them. Recently, I saw the story of a high school technology class who invented a miniature electric vehicle for a local child who is immobile due to a congenital birth defect. What an example of people doing good. Words cannot express the joy on the child’s face as he motored around in a creation made just for him, by teenagers. He was not the only one who experienced joy, so did each of the students that helped in the project.

Certainly, we live in a dark and sinful world where people are constantly doing bad things to other people. As Christians we can add light to the world . Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven”.

Showing kindness allows everyone involved to reap benefits. Sure, doing something good for someone else is uplifting for them but we also reap the benefit of feeling good about ourselves. Psychiatrists tell us that acts of kindness toward others is also beneficial to the giver. While doing good works does not produce salvation, they are the products of our salvation. We are all involved in something bigger than ourselves. God has a mission for us and doing good is a job we should never overlook. As Christians, let us apply the words of the Apostle Paul and never tire of doing good. Most of us have heard the expression “Do a Random Act of Kindness Today”. Our Savior showed the way for us by doing that every day. I encourage you to start each day as Billy Ray did by asking God, what is my assignment today? By doing so, you will enrich the lives of others as well as yourself. Doing good is a wonderful way of showing the love of Christ to others. In our “It’s all about Me World” there has never been a better time for us to demonstrate God’s love.

“A simple act of kindness could be the source of great happiness.” Dr. Debasish Mridha