Try a Little Kindness

It’s propably not a big deal to smile to someone, or send someone a word of encouragement or even give a little hand to those in need.  But to the receivers, it might be the happiest moment of their day.

In the bible Colossians chapter 1, apostle Paul said to the people in church of Colossae:

“the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world” Col 1:6

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father…” Col 1:9-12

Bearing fruit, growing, with endurance and patient

Most Christians know that they should learn and grow their knowledge about God, by studying bible, reading books or attending classes.  But Paul made it clear that we need to know and discern God’s will, so that we may live a worthy life.  A worthy life is not about getting rich or becoming powerful, but to please God in every way.

How to live a worthy life?

Paul said we need to “bear fruit in good work“.  Growing a fruit tree needs lots of work and patience, especially in Jesus’s day, they don’t have farming machines, chemical fertilizers or pest control.  A farmer have to spend a lot of time everyday watering and caring for the plants; and to pray for good weather, as this is not something they can control.  Therefore, when Paul uses “bearing fruit” to describe our lives, we need to think like a farmer, to keep growing our fruits of kindness patiently.  Doing good work for others obviously help them, but overtime we also train ourselves to become more content and more endurable.  Even when we have hard times, don’t lose hope and keep farming.  Small acts could have life changing effects.

Try a Little Kindness

So what can we actually do to “bear fruit in every good work”?  We all have our own busy lives, many of us cannot do volunteering work everyday.  This song from Glen Campbell has giving me some ideas:

• Wake up everyday with a thankful and joyful heart
• Smile to people around you
• Give your seat in public transport to someone in need
• Open door for others, rather than rushing in before the opposite side can get out
• Send a word of encouragement to a friend or family
• When someone tries to tell you their hardtimes or stories, listen patiently without jumping in to give advise or conclusions
• Point direction to a tourist, etc

Do you want to live a worthy life?  What is your ways of “bearing fruit”?

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Patience