How faith, kindness, and partnership can quietly transform a town What does it look like when faith is lived out beyond church walls and woven into the everyday life of a community? In this personal reflection, Mike shares how a lifetime of following Christ has shaped his commitment to social action, unity, and compassionate service. […]
There are subtle nuances in meanings between some words – take kindness, mercy and compassion for example. If someone sends you some flowers, it could mean they love you, they are sending condolences or they are appreciating you. This thoughtful act may have traces of mercy and compassion but it is primarily a friendly, generous and considerate action of kindness. Think back to when you last received some flowers or indeed sent some – what was the impact other than the giving or receiving of happiness? It is said that ‘what goes round comes round’ – if this is true, then there is a ‘kindness circle’ in life which is loved and respected the world over. Was Nellie Bly right when she said: ‘It is only after one is in trouble that one realizes how little sympathy and kindness there are in the world’? Surely ‘the milk of human kindness is more prevalent?
History tells the stories of when human civilisation has come under great threat through war, disaster or disease. Around 1350, an infectious fever killed up to 200 million people. Rats carrying infected fleas from China and India brought The Black Death resulting in populations being reduced by up to 50% around the world. It is still around in some parts of the world but using the broad-based antibiotic streptomycin has proven to be dramatically successful against the bubonic plague within 12 hours of infection. What is the time on the clock for humanity and who might step forward ‘for such a time as this?’
