Instead
Driving around the area where I live I often see signs in people’s yards supporting various causes or ideologies. A common one is “choose kindness.” I suppose they believe reminding others to be kind will bring about change in their neighbourhoods. But crime and other acts of violence still take place, so one might wonder if these signs can make any difference. It would be great if instead of meanness, kindness would prevail.
Instead – what an interesting word. What if we really could see kindness instead of meanness, calm instead of anxiety, peace instead of strife and love instead of hate? We could, but it will take a lot more than signs – it will take a complete change of heart. As some like to say, be the change you want to see, and we can if we will rely on the Holy Spirit to effect change in our own hearts first. Rather than carry around a sign, we can keep the words of Jesus in the front of our minds by memorizing and meditating on scripture. I’ve begun writing my memorization verses in a journal so I can regularly study them as a way of putting on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11).
My mind has been on this verse all week: ‘Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God, through Christ, has forgiven you.’ (Ephesians 4:32, NLT).
That one word instead could preface so many of our thoughts, words and actions, and saying it is better than counting to ten before letting our human nature take the lead.
Let’s keep our minds focused on God and choose kindness, love, joy, peace and patience instead of all the negativity we see around us. Instead of a sign, they will know we are his disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35).
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 20 June 2023, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA congregation. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
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