But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Luke 6:35 HCSB

Well, we made it through another Christmas season.  As we head into the time of year when we try to make lasting changes in our lives for the better, we reflect on some things that we may want to change.

If we wait till the last minute to shop or overspend, we can cause stress this season. But there are other stressors that we have no control over. We have no control over the fact that the chair at the head of the table is not occupied by the loved one that occupied it for all those years before. We have no control over the fact that a dear friend passed away just a couple days before Christmas. We can’t control the actions of others.

We can control what we do. When our heart breaks for those we have lost this past year or in years past, we can reflect on the good times we had with them. Hopefully, we can ease the pain by knowing that they are in a much better place than we are, and we will see them again one day.

We can also focus on what we need to change in our own lives. Maybe you are saved and feel that you are doing well and perhaps you are. But we can always strive to do better. There has been a big focus on being kind. I see t-shirts and bumper stickers and coffee mugs telling people to be kind. When I see these things, I can’t help but think, “Since when did we have to start telling people to be kind.” Shouldn’t that be a no-brainer especially for Christians. Ephesians 5 begins by telling us that we should be imitators of Christ. What does that mean for us as Christians? Well, if you consider how Christ treated others there are several factors we should consider. First and foremost, we know He walked in love. He freely gave His life for all of us even while we were sinners. As sinners we were His enemy. He loved His enemies enough to die for them. While he hung on that cross, He called out to God to forgive those who were persecuting Him in Luke 23:34 by saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He was kind even to those who were evil.

Love and kindness should not be something we exhibit only during the holidays. It should be something we practice all year long. We should practice it until we have it perfected. Many of us resist being kind because there are many who mistake kindness for weakness. We feel it makes us a doormat for others. I have actually found the opposite to be true.

In law enforcement, I always had to be very careful about how I treated the offenders that I worked with. I had to be firm, but fair. Since my retirement, however, I have faced a number of enemies that are far more evil than any offender I ever encountered. I have learned that if I respond to them in kindness and pray for them that God will take care of them. It can only go one of two ways, either they will be saved and be my brother or sister in Christ or God’s wrath will reign down on them. Sadly, I’ve seen a lot more of God’s wrath than human’s repentance. But I have learned that wrath is not my job. My job is to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me (Matthew 5:44).

If you suffer with a heavy heart, you can turn to Jesus. He tells us in Matthew 11:28 that if we are weary burdened, we can come to Him. Verse 29 tells us we can take up His yoke which is light. It tells us we can learn from Him because He is gentle and humble in heart, and we will find rest for ourselves.

If being kind does not come naturally to you know that as Christians, it should. We should not have to be reminded to be kind. If you are angry, or lonely or sad, turn to Jesus. Be kind to others and trust in Him. Do your best to imitate Him throughout the year. Practice being kind as we head into the New Year. You might just find that you like it.

Have a great day!