But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of
peace (Psalms 37:11).
A gentle spirit, a kind heart, a genuine interest in the needs and concerns of others:
these are the markings of the meek. They are slow to anger, self-sacrificing and available
to listen. They are the kind of people that we like to be around. They do not make us feel
threatened, but loved. They do not seem to be preoccupied with things of themselves, but
are able to push aside self-interests to be there for someone else. They are the kind of
people we would like to be more like as Christians. For in them we see a true spirit of
meekness to the likeness of the heart of Christ.
I have heard meekness defined as "power under control." While I like that
definition, I would assert another, that being that meekness in its purest form is
"power in control." For where we would view power in terms of an ability to
control another or a group, we find that the truest power was embodied in our Lord Jesus,
and that power was demonstrated through service to others. I say that this is "power
in control" because it is the demonstration of the true power, which is of God, being
in control of a man's spirit. For if the spirit of the man is in power, meekness has no
place in his heart.
The meek are blessings to our lives. Jesus tells us that the meek are blessed. We are
fortunate to have them in our lives as it seems that the blessings that are on them spill
over frequently into the lives of us who are around them, and who are fortunate to call
them our friends.
We describe them with such phrases as, "He would do anything for you," or
"She is always ready to listen. And really cares." But this is not to glorify
them. For they would be the first to push away recognition form themselves--it is the
nature of the meek. Instead, we glorify the Lord who makes His Spirit so apparent in the
lives of those who follow in His footsteps of meekness. I do not know a better way to
describe them than to say that as we look into their faces and into their eyes, we see a
reflection of the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus. In spending time with them, it
becomes evident who resides in their hearts--it is the Spirit of the living God.
Some of us would like to see meekness as a temperament or personality trait. But this does
us no good. For then we might see our need to be meek as an impossibility because it is
not a part of who we are. Seeing meekness as a personal characteristic would also wrongly
give credit to the person who is meek, as though he or she is meek in and of themselves.
Some people may have a predisposition toward meekness, yet it is the Spirit of Christ in
us that brings true meekness. Some of us may have a difficult time being meek. To this we
must say, "We all have our natural strengths and weaknesses." Yet it is the
supernatural, powerful meekness of Christ in us that will bring out the spirit of meekness
in each of us. To transliterate a verse in James, "If any of you lack [meekness], let
him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him." Though it is foolishness to the world, meekness is a beautiful
manifestation of God's power--and it is still one which will draw a lost world to a loving
Lord. Let us consider the possibilities and ask God for meekness.
|
|
