Meekness Not Weakness
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
This exhortation is so relevant to us in these tense days. In general the words humility and gentleness are lost in our modern society. This type of virtue isn't exactly celebrated. In fact, when these characteristics are exemplified in the way Paul is encouraging, they're hidden. We're not going to find them easily in our world leaders, our rock stars, our celebrities or even our top athletes. I know they're there, but you have to look around for a while to find them. Jesus' words illuminate this reality when He said that those who are first in this world will be last in the Kingdom and those who are last will be first. Humility and gentleness are Kingdom qualities, as Jesus said, "blessed are the meek."
In this world these characteristics are often labeled as weakness. If you want to see the difference between weakness and meekness, go hunting for true meekness. Look past the neon billboard of the mainstream and search for humility and gentleness through the eyes of Christ. You'll see the love and care from teachers toward their students, you'll see the love between a mother and father for their kids. Look at the love and care from a mom and dad, nurse or caregiver to the kids or adults with disabilities and special needs. Look closely at any situation where an individual endures suffering and sacrifice for the sake of another individual. This type of love is patient, it's bearing with one another. It's hard to find! But when you find it, you will see that this type of endurance, this type of love, is the pinnacle of strength. This type of engagement and love holds our culture together. It isn't flashy, it isn't boastful, it is strong and it is powerful. Look up from these quiet unadvertised examples and see the cross as the source of these virtues. This love, this endurance is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For a culture that is at each other's throats, armed with quips, zingers and one liners to conquer their fellow human who disagrees with them, we are being offered a better way to live. A way forward as a culture. A way that begins The Way, The Truth and The Life through Jesus Christ. The Way that embodied humility, gentleness and patience as He died for a sea of sinners hurling insults at Him and one another. Healing for our nation looks like the church being strong in these days by practicing meekness. Much like the afore mentioned examples of humility and self sacrificing love, the believer's campaign of meekness may be hidden but this is the seat of true power and true leadership in our broken world. Humility and gentleness are the seat of Jesus Christ. What seat do you find yourself in these days?
Ben Boatright
This exhortation is so relevant to us in these tense days. In general the words humility and gentleness are lost in our modern society. This type of virtue isn't exactly celebrated. In fact, when these characteristics are exemplified in the way Paul is encouraging, they're hidden. We're not going to find them easily in our world leaders, our rock stars, our celebrities or even our top athletes. I know they're there, but you have to look around for a while to find them. Jesus' words illuminate this reality when He said that those who are first in this world will be last in the Kingdom and those who are last will be first. Humility and gentleness are Kingdom qualities, as Jesus said, "blessed are the meek."
In this world these characteristics are often labeled as weakness. If you want to see the difference between weakness and meekness, go hunting for true meekness. Look past the neon billboard of the mainstream and search for humility and gentleness through the eyes of Christ. You'll see the love and care from teachers toward their students, you'll see the love between a mother and father for their kids. Look at the love and care from a mom and dad, nurse or caregiver to the kids or adults with disabilities and special needs. Look closely at any situation where an individual endures suffering and sacrifice for the sake of another individual. This type of love is patient, it's bearing with one another. It's hard to find! But when you find it, you will see that this type of endurance, this type of love, is the pinnacle of strength. This type of engagement and love holds our culture together. It isn't flashy, it isn't boastful, it is strong and it is powerful. Look up from these quiet unadvertised examples and see the cross as the source of these virtues. This love, this endurance is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For a culture that is at each other's throats, armed with quips, zingers and one liners to conquer their fellow human who disagrees with them, we are being offered a better way to live. A way forward as a culture. A way that begins The Way, The Truth and The Life through Jesus Christ. The Way that embodied humility, gentleness and patience as He died for a sea of sinners hurling insults at Him and one another. Healing for our nation looks like the church being strong in these days by practicing meekness. Much like the afore mentioned examples of humility and self sacrificing love, the believer's campaign of meekness may be hidden but this is the seat of true power and true leadership in our broken world. Humility and gentleness are the seat of Jesus Christ. What seat do you find yourself in these days?
Ben Boatright
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My campaign of meekness is bringing me again and again to points of conflict with my political past!
We remember Betty Morgenthaler as a prime example of humility and gentleness, meekness exemplified. She and other elders of the church have taught me what it’s like to be strong in silence, prayerful and patient under pressure; always listening to my Heavenly Father for his directions. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. Indeed Betty has graduated from inheriting the earth to inheriting heaven.