It seems as if every day is a different international awareness day of some sort. But, Random Acts of Kindness Day (17th February) is surely one that Christians can readily get involved in. Although, there is nothing random about the reasoning behind acting kind when it comes to Christianity. Kindness is an attribute that Jesus exhibited throughout his life and a characteristic that he taught his followers to adopt (John 13:34-35).

As Christians, we endeavour to be more like Christ - "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12-14). And we seek opportunities to show others kindness because we recognise the incomparable love and kindness that God has shown each and everyone of us.

But, despite being aware of Christ's example, we can all identify occasions where we could have been kinder. And sometimes, if we get caught up in the busy nature of our lives or overwhelmed by the amount and extent of suffering in the world, finding more ways to show kindness can be challenging.

The current refugee crisis has captured the attention of Christians around the globe. But with such a wide-reaching tragedy which affects countless individuals, how can we extend kindness to refugees?

Donate

If your church is collecting donations for refugees, this is a straightforward way to contribute. Although money and material donations are essential in helping refugees, time is also an incredibly valuable gift. Donating your time to help with anything from teaching English classes to assisting with the completion of legal documents, is another way in which you can help.

Pray

There is great power in prayer so it makes sense that we can often feel a great need to pray when we feel powerless. Why not add a section on the current plight of refugees into your next prayer?

Petition

Christian charities and organisations are regularly campaigning for the government to change laws to lessen the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, but they need their supporters to add their voices to truly be heard. This is a relatively simple way to show kindness, but it can be very effective. It can also lead to a better understanding of the situation.

It's not just refugees and asylum seekers that can benefit from acts of kindness, the examples above could also be adapted to help the homeless, the elderly and anyone in need.