The Artisan Post

Canadians are known for being nice.
Polite. Agreeable. Friendly.

But let’s face it… our so-called “niceness” is often just a cover.

We’ve used it to avoid hard conversations.
To stay silent when truth is needed.
To ignore injustice…. in our churches, our government, and even in our families.

We say “sorry” in the grocery aisle but shrug at the suffering next door.
We smile at strangers while turning a blind eye to the breakdown of our nation.

“Nice” is not a virtue.
It doesn’t heal wounds. It doesn’t fight evil. It doesn’t break down barriers.

Truth does.
Love does.
Courage does.

I heard this quote regarding speaking into the lives of others, and it stuck with me:

“When you say nothing, you sacrifice the other person. When you speak up, you sacrifice yourself.”

That’s what’s really at stake.
Silence might feel polite, even “nice”, but it’s often just self-preservation dressed up as kindness.
We avoid discomfort, rejection, or conflict… and let others pay the price.

But when you speak truth in love — even if it costs you something — you’re laying yourself down for someone else’s good. That’s not “nice.” But it is kind.

Love is kind. Love speaks up even when it hurts. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
That’s Christlike.

Sometimes the most loving thing isn’t nice — it’s hard.
Sometimes the most just thing isn’t polite — it’s speaking out.
Sometimes the most faithful thing isn’t agreeable — it’s standing firm.

Let’s end the delusion that being “nice” is something to value. Saying nothing is standing for nothing. Worse yet, saying nothing signals an apathy willing to accept anything.

“Oh well, it doesn’t affect me,” we shrug.

Let’s trade in nice for speaking truth.
Comfortable for acting with courage.
Polite indifference for sacrificial love.

Canada doesn’t need more nice people.
It needs people who care enough…. dare enough…. to speak, act, and take a stand, knowing it will cost.