“But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.” – Luke 6:27-31
There is a great joy that comes when we are nice to others. When I am able to give to someone in need, or perform a kind deed that blesses another person, it makes me feel good. There are few things that lift my spirits like serving others.
The thing that brings my spirit down is when things seem out of my control. These days it seems like so much is out of our control. COVID, politics, the economy, and how my favorite sports teams are performing are all things that are beyond my control. These difficult times can really test our patience and our kindness. It is not as easy to be kind when it feels like so many things are out of our control.
I recently read this teaching of Jesus, from the Gospel of Luke, that tells us, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” This is a demanding teaching! Jesus is asking his followers to be kind, no matter how the others treat us and no matter how we feel. There are things that are beyond our control. These things cause great frustration and often push us to behave in ways that do not reflect our faith in a positive manner.
This scripture from Luke’s Gospel reminded me that kindness is not just for those people that I like and enjoy being around. Jesus reminds us that our calling to be kind, to love one another, is a calling to love all people. We are to care for those who so often seem unlovable, unapproachable, even our enemies. In fact, when we love others, when we are kind to people, we are doing the one thing we can control.
Loving our neighbor is an intentional act, based on God’s love for us, and our desire to share that love with the world. Our love for others and our acts of kindness are not based on the other person or our circumstances. Our kind actions are not controlled by who is receiving our love and kindness, but rather our love is motivated by the love of God in our own hearts. Being kind is what we are called to do. God’s gift of love and kindness is truly a gift for the whole world. When we share with everyone, we are sharing God with others.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
