Meekness vs. Weakness

     Kelly Minter is one of seven authors who wrote, The Way of Wisdom, a study of the book of Proverbs. She noted in her video session that meekness, although often thought of in today's culture as weakness, is "great power under control." She went on to say that meekness "sets us apart as believers in Jesus Christ, who, [Himself], had a soothing disposition even when correcting others. Jesus had all the power of the Godhead while he was on the cross" but he didn't use it to save himself. He showed restraint and obedience and chose to suffer for our sake. 

    Minter also talked about "put[ting] on humility-to wear it-is a choice." Jesus wore humility well. He did the work his Father gave him to do and when he was near death on the cross he stated, "It is finished," (John 19:30) which in the Greek is tetelestai meaning "paid in full." He completed God's redemptive plan for mankind. He humbly deferred his choices to his Father. Our sin debt was paid in full by our meek, humble Redeemer. Yet, he was far from weak, he was meek on steroids..."great power under control," and humble in that he respectfully yielded to His Father's authority.

    What would my life, maybe your life, look like if we humbly and meekly submitted all our choices to God? If we said, "Lord, I want you to take the lead in my life and make the final decisions on matters of health, wealth, family, friends, jobs, school, and anything else that's important to you?" I know he would be faithful to complete a good work in us, because he already said he would in Philippians 1:6. But am I faithful enough to trust him? 

    At one point in the video, Minter said something to the effect of how easy it is to be patient when no one is trying her patience. I told a friend I was having a difficult week and she asked me, "You didn't pray for patience this week, did you?" and I had to laugh, because sure enough I had. God was giving me lots of opportunities to practice "great power under control" and I simply didn't have it. But that's not to say I don't want it, and as with anything worth having, it requires hard work and perseverance. We have the power of Christ within us in the person of the Holy Spirit, but we must be willing to say, "Not my will but your will must be done," (Luke 22:42). 

Matthew 5:5 (NIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.