We often think of kindness of something that we are doing for others; I wonder if we ever think that it is something we do for ourselves as well?
"Do unto others what you would have them do unto you". How often, when I am doing unto others, do I think how I would like it if they did the same thing unto me? How often do I feel justified when I pop off a smart remark instead of remaining silent or contributing something useful? How often do I let my anger at an inconvenience to me remind me of the times that I have inconvenienced others?
How often do I reflect on the fact that how people respond to me may, in part, be a result of how I respond to them?
Yes, I know. People are in fact mean and can be cruel and not everything is a reaction to me: people have their own battles and struggles going on and sometimes we are casualties in dramas we have no idea are even going on. But I am not responsible for that.
Kindness is a real and practical way for us to practice what Christ says here. By treating others as we would be treated, we demonstrate the kindness of Christ - who, after all, treated us with more consideration than we could ever treat Him.
That verse comes to mind often for me and, I think, has saved me from doing a lot of regretful things over the years.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, it is a common enough sentiment that you could post it almost anywhere without the reference and people would think it was a great idea. Yet even as a common sentiment, let alone a Christian one, it is very easy to forget.
DeleteI have to remind myself a great deal as well. Thinking of such things often will add often add some compassion to my life.
W. in CA
ReplyDeleteWell, I was given a short-term mission yesterday afternoon, such as I mentioned in yesterday morning's post. I do hope when I am at an elderly or sickly stage someone else will be filled with the Spirit to do the same for me. I pray all others would be blessed to give of self and also be blessed to receive from others in similar ways. To be used as a tool in the Lord's hands is to have a real purpose in this life!
May He bless us all as only He can. His kindness is unmatched.
W - Wonderful. I hope that you are able to fulfill the mission in such as way that honours God and makes you feel useful.
DeleteCan remember the Golden Rule from elementary school TB, act like a jerk-wad/idiot, be treated like a jerk-wad/idiot. Parents always said it doesn't cost anything to be nice to others eh? Too many are so self-centered.
ReplyDeleteNylon12, we talk a great deal about compassion and empathy for others in modern society, yet seem completely unable to implement it in our personal relationships too often.
DeleteYeah, but they won't leave me alone.
ReplyDeleteThey can indeed be persistent, John.
Delete"I wonder if we ever think that it is something we do for ourselves as well?"
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read that line, I thought, "Yes! As in, I like myself better, or am more at peace with myself when I am kind to others." But you're talking about something a little different - in that wanting kindness directed at us, we should be kind to others. I guess both things are true.
I'm reading these posts out of order, so if I tread on something you've written that I haven't yet read, I apologize, TB. I think of kindness much like humility. The two things are probably intertwined. But it seems to me, if they are genuine, they will be practiced regardless of reciprocity. That's big talk. I don't have this in anyway buttoned down (i.e. well-practiced). It's just a thought I had as I read this post.
Becki - You are right that they are intertwined, perhaps more so than I imagined. And yes, they will likely be (or should be at least) practiced regardless of reciprocity. Yet I do not think it is totally wrong either to see the benefit for ourselves in such things, and treating others as we would like to be treated gives me a powerful incentive to practice it more frequently; after all, if I treat others badly, I have nothing to complain about if they return the favour.
DeleteAs you may have read in a recent post about headlights shining at me from a parking lot, I have thoughts of not turning the other cheek, but fortunately, I am still able to stifle those thoughts and give the other person the benefit of doubt. But it makes me worried about what might happen if one were to lose that ability for self control or turning the other cheek.
ReplyDeleteEd, sadly too often I think we are already at that point you are worried about. We now seem to be a culture that is first and foremost concerned about how the world treats me: my comfort, my convenience, my wants, my feelings. In such a world, others scarcely enter in except as bit players and how they relate to me.
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