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### Summary

Today's reflection centers on the profound and transformative power of kindness, a fruit of the Spirit that God models for us continually. We began by acknowledging our human vulnerabilities and the importance of surrendering our fears and failures to God. This act of surrender allows us to be filled with God's love and kindness, which we are then called to extend to others.

A poignant story shared by my son Eli highlighted the toxic attitude of self-sufficiency that often prevents us from asking for help and, consequently, from giving and receiving kindness. This attitude can create barriers to genuine human connection and compassion. We are reminded that early Christians were sometimes called "the kind ones" due to the similarity between the Greek words for kindness (Christos) and Christ (Christos). This historical tidbit serves as a powerful reminder of the identity we are called to embody as followers of Christ.

The narrative of David and Jonathan from the Bible was used to illustrate the depth of covenantal love and kindness. Despite King Saul's jealousy and attempts to kill David, David's relationship with Jonathan remained steadfast. After Saul and Jonathan's deaths, David's act of kindness towards Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, exemplified the boundless nature of God's love and kindness. This story underscores that true kindness often involves acts of service and love towards those who may not expect it or even deserve it.

Kindness is not just about random acts towards strangers but also about consistent, intentional acts towards those we are close to. It requires an investment and a lifestyle of love and service. The story of Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand's experience with racism and the protective kindness of her teammates further illustrated the power of kindness to break down barriers and transform hearts.

As a community, we are called to be known for our kindness, even towards those who may oppose or misunderstand us. This counter-cultural approach to kindness can change the world, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways.

### Key Takeaways

1. **Surrendering to God**: Surrendering our fears and failures to God allows us to be filled with His love and kindness. This act of surrender is crucial for us to be able to extend genuine kindness to others, as it frees us from the burden of self-sufficiency and opens us to divine grace. [44:03]

2. **The Toxicity of Self-Sufficiency**: The belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness can hinder our ability to give and receive kindness. This attitude creates barriers to genuine human connection and compassion, making it difficult to experience and share God's love. [44:48]

3. **Historical Identity of Christians**: Early Christians were sometimes called "the kind ones" due to the similarity between the Greek words for kindness (Christos) and Christ (Christos). This historical identity challenges us to embody kindness as a core aspect of our faith and witness. [46:28]

4. **Covenantal Love and Kindness**: The story of David and Jonathan illustrates the depth of covenantal love and kindness. David's act of kindness towards Mephibosheth, despite Saul's enmity, exemplifies the boundless nature of God's love and calls us to extend kindness even to those who may not expect it or deserve it. [53:47]

5. **Transformative Power of Kindness**: Kindness has the power to break down barriers and transform hearts. Whether through small, consistent acts towards loved ones or protective, sacrificial acts in the face of adversity, kindness reflects the love of Christ and can change the world. [01:02:25]

### Youtube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[44:03] - The Story of Eli and Asking for Help
[44:48] - Self-Sufficiency and Kindness
[46:28] - Early Christians: The Kind Ones
[47:13] - God's Kindness in Everyday Life
[48:40] - David and Jonathan's Covenant
[53:47] - David's Kindness to Mephibosheth
[55:36] - Kindness in Close Relationships
[57:50] - Personal Story: Kindness at Work
[01:00:48] - Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand's Experience
[01:02:25] - Protective Kindness
[01:04:14] - Epworth: The Kind Ones
[01:05:04] - Responding with Kindness
[01:08:24] - Reflections on Annual Conference
[01:14:16] - Call to Action: Show Kindness