When I went to register a domain name for this blog, I was happy to find that no one had taken godiskind.com. In fact, no one had taken godiskind.org, or godiskind.net, or godiskind.biz, godiskind.info, godiskind.us or godiskind.anything-else. That seemed odd to me. And sad. Godiskind isn’t a very long or complex name for a web site. On a whim, I searched for godismad, and found that godismad.com, godismad.org, godismad.net were all registered. If domain name registrations reveal the pulse of the culture, the prevailing cyber-view of God is not so good.
I shouldn’t be too surprised. Probably the most surprising aspect of God is his kindness. If there is a supreme being, a creator of the universe, we rather expect that he would be powerful and all-knowing, and… why do we assume he would be on the mean side? Because the universe is on the mean side? It’s true. Living outside the protection of a community and our man made environments (houses) is called “roughing it” and it can be pretty rough. The elements are often severe.
But surely there is a gentle side to creation. The whisper of a breeze, the babble of a brook, the scamper of a chipmunk, the delicacy and fragrance of a flower – all evidence of a character that is not always harsh. There must be two sides to the creator.
Genesis says we are made in the image of God. Amongst the rabunctious energy of a young child can be found the tenderest of emotions – a tiny kiss, a snuggle, a sleepy hug. Are these glimpses of a side of God we often miss? And one we often leave behind when we “mature?”
God is kind. That word is found a few places in the Scriptures. I’ve listed a few of them below. The word doesn’t seem very important. It’s not an abstract or profound theological concept, like righteousness or longsuffering, and it doesn’t carry, for most of us, the great meaning of a simple word like love, nor the mystery of a word like eternal.
No, kindness is a humble word. The Bible dictionaries say it just means simple things like good, gentle, easy, useful… gracious. One dictionary says the word was so humble that it was rarely used in speaking of a god or a king. Gods and kings don’t bend down from their exalted positions to lend a hand, or give a gentle touch, or whisper some encouraging words – to show kindness. No, they usually don’t do that.
With one exception. The God who is called love. The God who lowered himself as far as could be imagined and allowed himself to be abused. The God who was silent before his slaughterers. Could this self sacrificing, redeeming God also be found touching and whispering? Is the omnipotent universe creator actually gentle?
Yes, I am sure he is. For no other image of God has so deeply touched my heart. Nothing has surprised me more about this one. God is kind. Somehow, the almighty is humble. He loves his enemies.
He loved me.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. (1st Corinthians 13:4)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… (Galatians 5:22)
… so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience… (Colossians 3:12)
Good job Jim. Your writings are right on the mark and inspiring.
-Steve
Jim, wont you come visit us at the ooze?
Love Theres, “TK”
God is Mighty and he loves his children
That is one of the most meaningful things I have ever read about God- thank you for setting out your thoughts. As a church leader I often find that we Christian people are not as kind to one another as we should be. Perhaps that is why we do not expect God to be kind to us. But my experience of Him is, that he is kinder to me than I deserve or expect.
If God is kind, why he made animals and we human ate them?? Cows, hens, pigs, etc. they all have a central nervous system, which pains them when they were slaughtered. That is cruel, isnt it?
Isnt this survival of the fittest? I am a Catholic. I really dont understand. This question has been in my mind for a long time and I really hope I can have an answer. Hope someone can help me. Thanks.
Judith,
I think yours is the deepest, hardest question I know of. It’s really the question of death. I don’t think the traditional religious pat answers are very helpful.
We usually think of God as detached from creation, dwelling in comfort, while we suffer here. Perhaps the reality is that somehow he is suffering with us in all of it. And for some reason, he cannot escape it any more than we can.
You might find some of Richard Rohr’s writing helpful in the struggle with this question. I’m reading “Falling Upwards” right now and he has a non traditional perspective on suffering and tragedy.
Jim
You have honestly opened my eyes. I am/was a Satanist. I believed Satan was more loving than god. I have only read parts of the bible. All the those parts made him look like a monster and made me cry. I am bipolar and bipolar related psychosis. In these times my thought pattern changes from enlightened to twisted. Any who I have recently converted to Roman Catholicism realizing I was sick. I want to be saved. But I needed to know I was worshiping a GOOD God, not an evil one like I had believed. And you have answered my question. I can finally convert without doubt. P.S. If it matters I am a 16 girl and have been a Satanist since I was 12 and my family is Protestant.
Lida, Maybe the Bible is a good example of what the apostle Paul means by “Now we see through a glass darkly”. The goodness of God peeks through in so many places in the scriptures, but I suspect the glass is darkened by the imperfect motivations of the writers.
May God Bless You,
Keep writing! ;-)
-Santos
Jim,
You blog has taught me so much about a very misunderstood God. I was taught by many people that God is vindicative and merciless and cruel, and I was so lost and confused. But then I found your blog, and I feel so enlightened. I look at God now in a whole new light, and I see the love and mercy and compassion he has, for everyone. Thank you, and God bless! Keep writing!
I am so happy you wrote this.
I always believed in god’s kindness. At times i am suprised at myself and my friends for doubting him even after all the good things he done. Do keep writting.
God bless you .
Hello Jim
Its amazing, I came across your site by searching for “Why is God so kind?” on google.
And after reading this blog post, did a search for the domains, as I could’nt believe these beautiful truth speaking domain names are still not taken !
So, just registered these domains godiskind.net, godiskind.org
Sure don’t know what I would do, but I think, the best to start is to share in your story and add some more experiences of people who feel this every day in their lives… May be a log of all people who experience God’s kindness in their lives….
Thanks again.
venu
Thank you for such kind words and thoughts. How comforting to read them and immediately feel loved (and feel the truth about God).
This was a blessinh to read. Satan would have us start from the results of sin (the curse) when considering who God is, His character attributes. But you’ve really laid down well the fact that ‘God is love’ and ‘Love is patient, love is kind…’ what a good, humble, gentle and lovely Person is the Creator of all.
Every blessing,
Ell
Great post! Will share this with our church tomorrow. Thanks!
Thank you for this beautiful portrait on our beloved God.
The Bible says so many times of God: Your lovingkindness. Yes, God is kind. What a beautiful characteristic for there is nothing more cruel in this world than unkindness for the person who is being treated unkindly never ever deserves it. So knowing that God is kind will keep your heart alive and your soul filled with hope when you are being treated unkindly. I rejoice because my God is kind. What a wonderful post!!