This week we are talking about the virtue of meekness. What is meekness? It’s not a word we use in our vocabulary very often, if at all. It’s definition is another word we don’t like to use: submissiveness.
Meekness is seen as weakness by some. Many motivational speakers and leaders these days will tell you that to get ahead you have to be strong, outgoing and powerful.
The Bible tells us a different story. Jesus described himself often as being meek. Meekness is a virtue. Let’s read what the Beatitudes have to say in Matthew:
3) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4) Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8) Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10) Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven—Matthew 5:3-10
Meekness is an important virtue in being able to overcome the bad habits of life. Because meekness isn’t about being weak. It’s about harnessing strength given to us by God to overcome obstacles.
Horses are huge and massively powerful animals, but when you put a bit in their mouth, a bridle on their head and a saddle on their back they become meek. Their movements become controlled. They will go where you lead.
The greatness of man’s power is the measure of his surrender.
William Booth
We are being tested this week, aren’t we, having to be inside our homes during the stay at home order. This surely tests a man’s surrender. For the next 2 weeks or maybe longer we are going to learn what it means to be meek, whether we like it or not. It’s as if God has put a bit and bridle on us.
In learning meekness, we will learn submissiveness and become stronger. This forces us to slow down and reassess what’s really important in this life. We will be reintroduced to silence and quiet time. It’s in the silence that we will hear God’s call to be reconciled and renew our strength in Him, if we let Him.
Here’s a meekness worksheet to help you incorporate this virtue into your life. Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay home! God bless.—Barb