Anglican Cursillo Tasmania

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

The public death of Charlie Kirk recently had a profound effect on many people, particularly those who follow him on social media. The shock of the unfiltered death of Mr Kirk—delivered on demand to devices that has many people do not know how to properly control, and without context—left some struggling to make any sense of it. The division created in its wake was polarising. And this is but a symptom of where we are at.

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Here we can turn to Scripture to seek how we can be at this time in a divided world. We can seek to live in  the Spirit, producing fruit such as kindness.

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Drop a stone into still water and watch the ripples spread outward, reaching places you never intended. Kindness works the same way. A single act of grace can travel farther than we imagine, softening hearts and shaping communities. The Greek word chrestotes, used to describe kindness, means usefulness, excellence in character, and a benevolent heart. This isn't just about being polite; it's about reflecting God's own nature.

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Kindness Cultivates Compassion

Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are woven together, forming a pattern of grace modelled after God Himself. Every small choice—to forgive, to encourage, to listen without judgment—plants seeds of compassion. Just as God's kindness softened our hearts, our kindness can open doors in the lives of others.

Today, ask: Who needs a gentle word or a patient ear from me?

 

Kindness as a Spiritual Fruit

Paul also reminds us in Galatians 5:22-23 that kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Like fruit on a tree, it takes time to grow, nourished by the Spirit’s work within us. Human niceness runs out, but Spirit-born kindness draws from an endless source—God’s love.

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This is why we can show kindness even when we are tired, even when others don’t deserve it, and even when it’s not returned. True kindness flows not from our strength but from Christ living in us.

Reflect: Where in your life do you need to let His Spirit bear this fruit more fully?

 

Kindness Knows No Boundaries

Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) reminds us that kindness crosses every line we humans draw. The Samaritan's mercy cost him time, comfort, and resources, yet it revealed the very heart of God.

Kindness is not limited to those like us, or to those who will repay us—it is for strangers, for enemies, for all.

Consider: Who is God calling you to see with fresh eyes today?

 

Like ripples on water, Spirit-filled kindness travels farther than we realize. May we choose kindness daily, trusting God to use it in ways we may never see.

De Colores!

 

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank You for Your endless kindness toward us. Help us to reflect Your heart in our words and actions. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we might bear the fruit of kindness—even when it's costly, even when it's difficult, even when it goes unnoticed. Use our small acts of grace to create ripples that reach far beyond what we can see. In Jesus' name, Amen.