Can’t We Just be Kind?

Most of my boys’ first jobs were in food service or customer service of some sort. They regularly came home with stories about the rudeness and demanding nature of some customers. There are so many people these days who think the world owes them something… maybe everything.

Are Christians any different than the unbelievers when it comes to treating other people kindly, particularly those who are serving them? Sadly, my boys say no. In fact, sometimes the Christian customers are the worst when it comes to impatience and rudeness.

Lately it seems that judgment with regard to the “big” sins is being freely expressed.  Louder every day. You know, things like racism, stealing, murder, sexual sin.  Christians have become very outspoken about that sort of behavior.  But have we forgotten that God sees no “degree” of sin?

So when we are impatient or rude to someone who is serving us, how does God view our behavior? And, how are we reflecting Him to the world who desperately needs Him?

Can’t we stop being so self-absorbed and focused on our own needs or preferences and just be kind? We might be the blessing someone desperately needs. The fact is, if all of us decided to follow the golden rule, treating others as we would like to be treated, at exactly the same moment, all the strife in the world would cease instantly. If we all decided to love God and love others, we would be tripping over each other trying to be kind. Imagine that.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”Philippians 2:3-4