I’ve been reading through the book of Romans. I’m taking it slow, mainly because if I don’t I will miss so much. It’s like a Russian nesting doll, when you open it up there is another doll and then another and another. Anyway, one of the passages that I love and leaves me wondering is Romans 2:4. “...or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
I remember looking at the scripture when I was studying about humility and pride. Pride will never lead you to repentance, but always lead you to incorrect thinking about God and our relationship with him. That is one of the things Paul is saying in this passage. As I read it this time, nice and slow, I asked God what it meant that His kindness leads to repentance. Like the Russian nesting doll, this scripture might be well appreciated at our first stumbling upon it, but there’s more to it than just the outer shell. So, it never hurts to ask God to what something means, even if you think you know.
A few days later, after a whirlwind of crazy events involving a hospital, few hours of sleep, psychotic reactions to new and numerous medicine, learning new lessons in servant hood, fighting bully personalities, and so much more ... take a deep breath ... I found myself being invaded by the kindness of God.
It looked like a friend of mine wearing a beautiful smile and armed with an embarrassing amount of food. She was supposed to bringing a simple meal to feed my family in a time of need, but what she brought was a picture of the riches of God. A cooler packed with not only the supposed meal, but snacks, and extra groceries, and thoughtfulness. And, as if that wasn’t more than enough, she returned from her car with two more bags of extras, including Heaven’s kiss just for me ... brownies. Ahhhhhhh!
Ahem ... Side note: I am convinced that when we need comforting God says, “Eat some chocolate, that’s why I made it.” No, you can’t abuse it nor can you replace God with it, but let us not forget that He created it and we should be thankful and partake.”
As she unpacked the feast I was surprised and overwhelmed, and heard God say, “This is what my kindness is like.” I felt my protective walls dissolve, the need to be brave slipping away, all my independence was suddenly in need, and my friend was still there with compassion, a hug and prayer. Her kindness was irresistible.
God’s kindness towards us leads us to repentance. He reaches into the depths of everything He is and serves us with one “treat” after another. He keeps them coming engraved with personal details that call us to trust him until we can no longer resist. We repent and run to His love.
Lord, help us not settle for surface knowledge of your riches. Teach us to keep going deeper. Thank you for your irresistible kindness!
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