I watched a Hollywood movie this week that was billed as epic. It told the true story of Noah. The film was actually based on the true story of Noah as there were lots and lots of footage and conversations that didn’t take place unless Hollywood have a direct phone line to Heavens reference room. Please don’t concern yourself with whether I enjoyed or even if I should have watched it. I mention it only because I confess I was moved by one of the closing lines that came from Ham as he begins to walk away to a life alone.
Here’s the script:
[Packed and ready to leave Ham walks over to Ila]
Ila: You don’t have to go.
Ham: I don’t belong here. For what it’s worth, I’m glad that it begins again with you.
[Ila embraces him]
Ham: Maybe we’ll learn to be kind.
[We see Ham walking away into the distance on his own]
The Apostle says, “Be kind …” Ephesians 4 v 32
It is to look outwards all the time and not inwards.
Maybe we will learn to be kind. Maybe.
In another epic movie, CINDERELLA, Prince Charming says to her, “Be kind and all will be well.”
The world longs for kindness.
The Church can demonstrate it. If we choose to do so.
Every day I have an opportunity to be like God, to put on kindness. To be kind. To think of others for no other reason than because of kindness. More of them less of me.
Love and sacrifice.
I have an opportunity for that to be my life’s testimony.
Kindness is to step aside from your life to engage in another’s.
Kindness is to come down, not in a patronising way, but in a selfless manner.
Kindness is not to hold on to what you have but to empty yourself so that others can hold what they have never held.
Kindness is to move across the room, to leave the room, to walk across the street, to journey, crossing borders and cultures very different to your own.
Kindness is humility.
Kindness attracts the dirt and the mess of life.
Kindness is good news to the poor and a release to those who are held back.
Kindness opens eyes, lifts burdens off people and helps people into the next chapter.
Kindness can often be misunderstood and even criticised.
Kindness can be killed off but kindness will still keep coming back.
Maybe we can learn to be kind again.
Missions Paul 