Benescke Janse van Rensburg

A saying recently caught my attention: "Before you call yourself spiritual or religious, first learn kindness.” Our Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel demonstrated last week how a good act can truly change a life.

With the start of the Springboks' victory tour through the streets of South Africa, they visited the Helpmekaar College. A young, 15-year-old boy, Lebo Mogoma, was caught on camera where he couldn't control his tears after his hero, Siya Kolisi, signed his rugby boots for him. The video went viral.

At the BrightRock Players' Choice Awards held at Hyde Park in Johannesburg last Tuesday, Siya and his wife Rachel made an effort to track down Lebo and invite him and his mother to the event. To make it even more special, they arranged with Lebo's other hero, Cheslin Kolbe, that Lebo could go on stage with Siya to collect his prize for Best Back Player of the Year on behalf of Kolbe. Kolbe was unable to attend the event.

It was a rough year for Lebo and his mother. The Kolisi couple said they hoped this "small act of kindness" would be a highlight for them in their situation.

It is sometimes the little things that make the biggest difference in the lives of others - a kind word, an unselfish outreach, a smile. In Proverbs 3:27 we read, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

Good deeds do not bring us to heaven; a relationship with Jesus Christ does. Yet, friendly actions or good deeds can unlock people's cold hearts. It causes them to begin to desire the warmth that should shine out of our hearts as believers. Let's stop being just "spiritual" and “religious” and start to demonstrate (without words) who this Jesus is to a broken world around us. God bless.

Father God, thank you for Your love and grace. Please show me opportunities where I can practically demonstrate this love to others. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Photos: See pictures of Lebo and the Kolisi-couple at
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