You’ve heard of the phrase “random acts of kindness”. You’ve probably even done a few “random acts of kindness” and named it as such. You’ve probably pooled together people to do “random acts of kindness”.
That’s great!
Yet for the longest time, I have been uncomfortable with this phrase. I think it is not accurate. What’s wrong with this?
“A random act of kindness is a nonpremeditated, inconsistent action designed to offer kindness toward the outside world.” (A Wikipedia definition, which is sufficient. No need to quote from an academic or scientific research study for this).
To do something at random or randomly is to do something mindlessly, without much thought about the act. But kindness done at random is no kindness at all, but perhaps just a force of habit. You open the door for someone and call it a random act of kindness? You really think you did that mindlessly? Robots can open the door, but who labels that as kind?
I think kindness, in its truest form, is never random.
Kindness, in its truest form, should never be considered
Kindness, in its truest form, should never be considered
Kindness, in its truest form, is a choice of the heart.
When we do something kind, it is out of a choice we make. When we chose to do something kind to someone, even if it is as “random” as dropping a penny in the beggars can it is not mindless. It is done with thought. As you walked closer to the beggar, you made the decision whether to give or not. There is nothing mindless about that. Nothing nonpremeditated. It was planned! Planned in you mind, but pushed by your heart.
Why are we drawn to identify what we do as random acts of kindness? Is it because we are hesitant to be kind to someone? Does being kind make us uneasy? Are we ashamed?
Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you,..what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Act justly.
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| Photo c/o Intaglio.us |
Live humbly.
There is no shame in being kind. There is no reason to be hesitant. God expects it of us. He requires it of us. So when we do an act of kindness, it is not an out of this world, phenomenal occurrence that we think it is. When we are moved to act kindly toward others, it is the Spirit of God moving and stirring in our hearts. It is not out of our own volition. We are not prone to kindness, but God’s spirit in us pushes us toward it. So if we call our acts of kindness random, what we are saying is that God has nothing to do with it. It just happened for no reason. Remember that in every thing, God has a purpose. Nothing is ever done without reason. So acts of kindness may be as a result of push from God. It should then give us joy, because we have heeded God’s nudge. But if, when we do a kind deed, we feel entitled or deep-seated gratification of how kind we have been, it is a selfish act disguised as kindness – just like a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing. It is not kindness at all.
For kindness is a character of God. Paul also says true love is kind.
So don’t just say kindness is random because it is taking God away from it. It is taking away God’s hand at work in the situation. But instead acknowledge God’s part in the act of kindness by celebrating a kind act, rejoicing in God’s working through you. God sees the need, he sees a messenger, nudges the messenger, and the messenger acts. Is that messenger you? I bet it is.
So, go ahead. Go do acts of kindness. But don’t call them random. Call it God’s good works that were meant for us to accomplish in the lives of others J. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (acts of kindness), which He prepared in advance for us so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
Blessings,
Donna Hope
Blessings,
Donna Hope
