"'Niceness'-wholesome, integrated personality-is an excellent thing. We must try by every medical, educational, economic, and political means in our power to produce a world where as many people as possible grow up 'nice'; just as we try to produce a world where all have plenty to eat. But we must not suppose that even if we succeeded in making everyone nice we should have saved their souls. A world of nice people, content in their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world-and might even be more difficult to save."
-C.S. Lewis
These thoughts resinate with me living in an environment where everybody is "nice". It is comforting to a certain degree to live around people who are friendly, smile and say hello. My only concern is the mask of niceness stays up so that we never delve deeper into the issues of the heart. Does nice=love? I do not believe so. WE may be kind because our hearts are filled with Christs love, but if we are not willing to snatch people out of the fire then we are not truly loving. This concept not only applies to others, but myself as well. If I'm content with being a nice Christian will I allow another to speak a difficult message to my spirit? A wise man receives correction and the Lord rebukes those He loves. Not only do we stunt peoples growth by settling for just being nice, but we stay in an infantile state ourselves by not carrying on the process of salvation. What does being nice actually mean? No confrontation? Keeping boundaries? Respect?
5 comments:
This one's for me. I hate, well maybe just dislike confrontation. Don't want to personally offend anyone especially when there is unintentional miscommunication, which of course one cannot control. I am learning to say what I feel, tactfully, yet not be afraid to voice my opinion even if it is disagreeable. I have tired myself feeling the need to be agreeable and "nice". We all need to hear truth, I am thankfully for those who were not afraid to tell me.
I'm learning to my friend
thanful, not fully, need to edit my own stuff : )
...i'm being very loving when i say this, you misspelled RESONATE. but, good blog, good references as well! it made me think of Heb. 5:13, 14.
now, click on the pic to go to the blog. better yet, put me in your blog roll and it will be like we're neighbors. :)
girl, you are LIVING in the SOUTH!!! Where niceness got it's definition. Problem is, that southern hospitality is often a facade for lots of jank underneath. Interesting that you've come from a non-religious city/state, to one of the most religious. And where God leads you next will be exciting! Love you Layne.
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