Act 33/40 #CAKE

Sometimes the people who seem the brightest on the outside are hiding deep pain within. Like Jesus, we’re called to step into others’ lives with love and encouragement. A small act of kindness, like celebrating someone or speaking truth over them, can bring breakthrough and joy. Who might God be nudging you to reach out to today?

I want to tell you about a man I’m going to name Hank. I met Hank while I was working as a chaplain for the Nightingale hospital during the lockdown and he worked there as a security guard. It was my job to start conversations with people and check in on their spiritual and emotional health. What started as a spritely conversation about this, that and the other, opened up to become a vulnerable and heart-felt moment. Hank told me about his battle with PTSD since coming back from serving in the army, his walk with grieving the sudden death of his mother and his journey with loneliness. In the midst of this sombre conversation, Hank let on that it was also his birthday that very day, so my colleague and I decided to do something about it.

Hank was an incredible human who needed to be celebrated, loved and affirmed so we popped to the shop for some cake and a card. Even though we had only just met him we filled the card with truth about who God says Hank is – a man of integrity, honour, strength, courage, wisdom, kindness and life (and the list goes on!). When we gathered his colleagues and celebrated him, he was overjoyed, emotional and a little dazed from all the affection. Hank was someone who needed truth to ring louder than despair and love to hold firmer than brokenness. It was a joy to partner with God to see that happen for him.

Unfortunately, Hank is not alone in his feelings of heartache, pain and loneliness, and often those who seem the most upbeat on the outside are hiding incredible sadness on the inside. Jesus wasn’t afraid of other people’s pain and would approach people the world deemed unacceptable. I have no doubt that there are people you know or you walk past every day who feel like Hank and God wants to use ordinary people like you and me to speak words of encouragement into their situations – encouragement that has the power to ignite their breakthrough.

It’s such a privilege to be a small part of someone’s story and journey into a life filled with joy. Just imagine if through small acts like this we were able to change the culture of our homes or workplaces into places of honour and joy.
 

Lauren Crook, Kingdom Living Ministries 

Reflect

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Pray

Pray for those who are battling pain, grief, or loneliness, that they may encounter God’s love and truth in a profound way. Ask for the sensitivity to notice those around you who may be hiding their struggles behind a smile. Pray for the courage to step into someone’s life with encouragement, kindness, and acts of honour that reflect Jesus’ love. 

Act

Acts for you to consider today:

			Celebrate someone today. Buy them a cupcake and just celebrate them for no other reason than that God loves them.
			Buy a big cake and share it with someone.
			Bake a cake and surprise someone with it.

Share

Follow 40acts on our socials! Don't miss out as we share reaction to the 40acts movement.

About Kingdom Living Ministries

Kingdom Living Ministries exist to fuel revival through equipping the body of Christ.

It is a community of people passionately pursuing Jesus together. Kingdom Living Ministries believe that every individual is created with purpose and power by a loving God, designed to live and love like Jesus in their individual spheres of influence. Its heart is to train and equip believers in Kingdom living, walking out all aspects of our true identity in Christ.

Support Kingdom Living Ministries