Kindness - Don't be an ass (donkey pun)

Kindness - a virtue characterized by acts of generosity, consideration, and concern for others.

In 2018, I had already exhausted much of Netflix's library. Given the lack of selection, as well as an ongoing quest for self-development, I decided to watch "Queer Eye". As a conservative Bible thumper, I did not have high hopes for the show, but I thought, if I were lucky, I would perhaps uncover some fashion advice, or maybe even stumble across a new hairstyle.

To my surprise, I was crying early into the first episode. It was not a particularly sad episode; one might even say it was light and easy viewing. What moved me was the compassion, friendship, and desire to show kindness that I saw in the cast. The cast was building each other up, hugging, and even weeping together, but it was also the cast's desire to extend this kindness to others (the weekly "hero"). I wondered why I did not have these relationships in my own life, and why I did not see this kindness in the church

In Luke 6:34-35, we see Jesus examine the intent behind acts of kindness, rather than the act alone. As if critiquing a mobster, Jesus sees the evil of transactional kindness. Where the mobster shows kindness, knowing it will lead to future "favours" - knowing that when the time is advantageous, they will call on you. Jesus describes this as goodness without credit.

Alternatively, Jesus commands us to be kind without the expectation of getting anything in return. Jesus drives this lesson home, reminding us that God is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Seeing this selfless love displayed on Netflix programming moved me by its beauty, but also challenged me by reflecting my own kindness failures. I was kind to those like me, those who I wanted to like me, and those I wanted to be like. I could be kind, but I also expected kindness in return; using words like "respect" made this approach feel justified.

I have not mastered kindness, but I would like to think I at least understand when and where I miss the mark (which is admittedly often). I am a reforming kindness failure, if you will.

Want to know if you are the good kind of kind? Here are two quick kindness questions to examine your own intent:

1. Am I factoring anything into my actions other than love of God and his people?

2. Am I committed to letting these actions live with God and the receiver alone? Bringing up kind actions rarely has good motives.

So, go be kind, and don't tell me about it.