Just Another Day

Today is, evidently, Be Nasty Day. Or, as pretty much most of the world calls it, Friday. The thing of it is, there's so much vileness, meanness, wrongness, unpleasantness, disagreeableness, filth, obscenity, discourtesy, pain, and indecency already in the world, I hardly think we need a day to celebrate it. Just spend some time watching the news on any given day, and you'll get your fill.

Our God, of course, hates that stuff. Hates especially when His children are nasty to one another. Maybe that's why Paul instructed the church to concentrate on building one another up. We have, after all, an entire world to tear us down.

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32)

It's really easy to be a part of the problem. I should know: I've spent the better part of my life both professing Christianity and contributing to the negativity of the world around me. I confess I'm still better at sarcasm, cynicism, and insults than I ever was at building others up. So what's that say about me? And more importantly, what's that say about the church -- the body of Christ on earth?

Thank God, He has begun a good work, the renewing of my mind and the calming of my spirit. Through Him, I find joy in encouraging others, peace in finding whatever small ways are possible to strip away the film of negativity that surrounds our daily lives. 

In fact, it's God's desire that we look through all the junk this world throws at us; that we not be taken in and taken down by the nastiness we encounter on a daily basis. 

"Finally, brothers and sisters," Paul exhorts the church in Philippi, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8)."

There's a lot of negativity already in the world, and it can be tough to be a light. But when it's this dark, any light at all is a beacon -- a guidepost to the peace and goodness of Christ.

Cards & Other Acts of Kindness

Today is Send A Card To A Friend Day. It's a simple concept. One I've personally never been very good at, but easy in theory. Show somebody you care by just sending a card. It may not seem like much, but occurs to me that Christians ought to excel at little, random acts of kindness. Kindness is, after all, an attribute of God and, indeed, one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).

Colossians 3:12 reminds us that, if we are in Christ, kindness is a part of who we are.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

So, what is kindness?  Being a word guy, I find the best, most descriptive definitions can often be found among the synonyms for a word. Another word for kindness is charity. Benevolence. Humanity. Sympathy, generosity, compassion. 

In short, kindness is a verb. It's not about simply having nice thoughts toward somebody. What good does that do, anyway? Kindness is not just another word for "being nice." Nice is too easy. No, kindness is using your actions to tell somebody, "you are a person of value."

I'm known for a lot of things, and not all of them positive. When I'm gone, I'll probably be remembered as being somewhat sarcastic. Cynical, even. Maybe, charitably, as quick-witted. But what I hope I'm remembered for -- the legacy I hope to leave behind -- is as somebody who reflected his Father's love in his kindness toward others. 

Maybe I'll send a card today. Nothing flashy. Just something to say, "You are important to me, and you are important to God." Because I think more people ought to hear that more often.

Be Excellent To Each Other

When people think about you, what do they say? Are you an uplifting person? A positive, happy person that makes others feel good to be around you? Are you somebody who lifts others up in the eyes of your peers? Can you be counted on to have a good word for the people you work with.

Today we're celebrating "Compliment Day," a day to, well, compliment others. And not in that sort of fake way we can sometimes do, when we feel like we should say something nice, but don't really mean it. But to really try to see somebody as Jesus sees them: a person of beauty and quality who just needs grace.

Proverbs 12:25 says, "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."

Indeed, kindness is one of the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. 

When you take on the name "Christian," when you identify yourself as a follower of Christ, your actions are a reflection to the world of who Christ is. So who do the people around you see? Do they see the office sourpus?

Or do they see somebody who always has a kind word? A positive, upbeat individual who reflects the Joy of the Lord? A person who lets them know that, when the world is pressing down with all its negativity and worry and stress, they are loved?

Take the time out today, and see somebody the way God sees them. See a child of God, or a sheep He desperately wants to bring back to Himself. And let them know: God loves them.

Hey, you. Yeah -- you! You're a pretty doggone awesome person. Thought you should know.