We awake to the demands of the day—the regular routines that keep our minds busy before our bodies move. We think about the tasks we need to fulfill in our day. Yet, many of these tasks do not bring fulfillment to our lives. We adhere to the schedules that demand our attention, as well as the other things we must make room for. We are rushed by daily tasks, scheduled meetings, and planned events, so we don’t have time to rest. Breathe.
I was awakened to the command. We need to find time to be kind as we go about the busyness of our day. We see many people in distress, in need of essentials, and mostly in need of a shoulder to cry on. The Lord is prompting his people to find time to be kind. Make room for God to use you. We want to be used by God, but we don’t have time for it. We can be so focused on our own activities. As a result, we don’t allow God to work through us. This prevents us from helping another who is suffering far worse. Our lives have become so congested with survival that we miss the opportunity to save a life and share hope. Find time to be kind.
As I was thinking about what the Lord was speaking to me. The event of Jesus hearing about the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, settled in my spirit. Matthew 14:13, when Jesus heard about what happened to John, he went to a private place to be alone. Maybe Jesus wanted to pray or spend some quiet time alone, away from all the noise and the people. But when the people found out where he was, they followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them. He paused from his solitary mission. He made time to be kind to the sick, the broken, and the lost. The kindness and the compassion of God freely flowed from him. He never lost sight of himself. He always remembered what God had set before him. This was true even in the sorrows of his life.
Many of us see him as God, but he was all man at this time. He laid down his godly powers to work fully as a man to show us the way. Philippians 2:7-9, “But laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men.” His entire dependence upon God was essential to his performing the miracles he did. Scripture teaches us that he had no powers, only the presence of God. So, we can function like Christ did—healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons. Christ has given us the authority to do these things. He also provided us the capability, all in the power of his name, if we believe. And sometimes, it’s not the belief that holds us back. It’s the time we value most that causes us not to see the opportunities.
Finding time to be kind is a word for us in this hour. God wants to see people set free and dependent upon him. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness. He is long-suffering to us-ward. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2nd Peter 3:9). Our lives can become busy as we move throughout the earth. Let’s move with the intention of becoming great in the world. Let’s find time to be kind to those we pass and to ourselves. The Lord encouraged my heart to be kind to the blind. We don’t need permission to be kind; we need to do it.
