Kindess Invites Kindness
I grew up being taught to show kindness to others. I was not always an expert at it for sure, but the principle is a godly principle for sure. I have been shown kindness by the Lord, therefore I should show kindness to others. The kindness of the Lord is what attracted and connected me to Him in the first place. His kindness lead me to repentance.
Abraham is getting old so he sends his servant to get a wife for his on Isaac. This was common place and cultural for sure. The servant is feeling a bit nervous, but decides to ask the Lord to direct him to the right person. He decides on a plan to go to the community well and ask a maiden there for a drink. Check this out…
12 Then he prayed, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,” and she says, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too”– let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.’
15 Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder…. 17 The servant hurried to meet her and said, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar.’
18 ‘Drink, my lord,’ she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
19 After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink. (Genesis 24:12-15a; 17-19 NIV)
As I read this historical account, I can see God’s hand woven throughout this story. He is not only behind the scenes, He’s out front leading and directing the path of Abrahams servant and ends up having quite an impact upon the history of God’s people.
The kindness I show today can really “pay it forward” or it can simply be building my heart to be more like the Lords. I don’t have to get a reward every time I’m kind, but I do believe that the Lord notices every single time. When I’m kind to others, I’ve reflecting the Fathers heart.
Pressing On!
Dwayne