What is kindness costing you?
By Jennifer Hrncir, 7th Grade English Teacher
Kindness is something we talk about often. It’s on T-shirts and posters. It’s in chapel messages. It’s woven into the fabric of our school culture. We are ingrained with the knowledge that God created us in his image with the capacity to express kindness. And many of us do, but the question is: Are you kind only when it’s easy, or is your kindness bold in a way that reflects Christ?
It is easy to be kind to your friends. It is easy to laugh with people who already accept you. The Bible, however, challenges this idea of “easy” kindness. Luke 6:32-33 says, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” In other words, if you are only kind to people who are kind back, that’s normal. That’s safe. That’s human.
Christlike kindness is different. Christlike kindness is choosing to sit with the solo student in the dining hall rather than with your friend group. It is speaking up in a group setting when someone is being talked about or a joke crosses the line and everyone laughs.
Real kindness is not about convenience. It’s about courage and often sacrifice. It is a purposeful decision to show others love, compassion and mercy (Micah 6:8). In John 8, for example, Jesus extends kindness and grace to a woman ready to be stoned by an angry mob. In Matthew 8, He reaches out and touches the leper rather than shying away and isolating him.
Jesus shows us time and time again that Christlike kindness is not easy. It’s bold and courageous. It often requires sacrificing popular opinion to stand for what is right and just, even if that means standing alone.
Kindness in middle school and high school is not a small thing. It’s vital. Every hallway or classroom comment, every post or caption, every interaction you have is an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and give to others what Jesus gave to us.
So let your kindness be bold. Let it shine as bright as a beacon that others can follow. Risk your comfort. Risk your popularity. Risk your reputation. After all, Jesus risked it all for us.
Photo by Brett Jordan via Unsplash
