Catherine Barrett says a neighbor’s small act of kindness was what sparked a now-global movement focused on all things good. Like most people around the globe in March 2020, Barrett was terrified of the then-novel coronavirus and watched as residents tried to navigate the crisis by canceling events, often panic buying and locking themselves inside their home to evade an invisible enemy. “There was aggression and people were getting really wound up,” she recalls. 

Amid the panic, Barrett says a neighbor left out a bowl of chocolates on a shared table in her apartment complex. The same day, Barrett — who lives in Melbourne, Australia — decided to create a Facebook page focused on other kindly acts from around the world. She named it: “The Kindness Pandemic.” More than half a million people joined in less than a month. They all shared stories of acts of kindness — both what they may have done for others and what others did for them. And the more stories people shared, the more kindness they inspired, Barrett says. Among them, a campaign focused on thanking postal delivery staff, who continued working during the pandemic. Another offered ideas to aid the Black Lives Matter movement. Another had guidance on care packages for new moms.

I love this idea and I get it. The pandemic has robbed us of most everything that is precious to us, but it cannot steal our gift of kindness to others. We have within our power the capacity to make a real and lasting change in the world one soul at a time. A “Kingdom of Kindness” is what the Lord has called us to and it is our best and most effective tool to make a difference. Kindness brings us into the arena of the solution-seekers and leaves the hopeless skeptics in the rearview mirror. I’ve had enough of the “doom-sayers,” haven’t you?

Kindness is “king” in a world where love really matters. True love towards others arises out of kindness expressed with “no strings attached.” Kindness is never about the giver, but instead, about the receiver. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NLT).

Kindness is “king” within the context of a grateful heart. Simply put, we are kind because so much kindness has been expressed towards us. “Kingdom Kindness” is the ultimate “pay it forward” exercise. Because I have received so much, pass along the same sort of kindness that I have received. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32, NLT).

Kindness does not discriminate, but instead is a free expression of love even to the unlovable. And who is more unlovable than an enemy? Jesus tells us to “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked” (Luke 6:35, NLT).

A realization that is sobering but very true is that the majority of us will never become famous in this life. We will never be independently wealthy. Most of us will scarcely even be remembered years after we are gone. “Then what is it all for,” you might ask. Want to make a difference? Want to change someone’s life? Want to be remembered after you are gone? Want to be a part of something bigger than you are? Then enter the “Kingdom of Kindness” and change your worldview. I can’t think of a better way to live.