Recently, Pastor Scott Stengele was preaching on Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

We often hear messages on humility and, yes, they are certainly connected, but how often do we hear a message on meekness?  Do you seek to be meek?  I don’t.  I never gave it much thought; I have enough of a battle on my hands trying to pursue humility which seems so elusive at times. 

Pastor Scott reminded us that no one is born meek; it is not inherent in our nature. It is a work of God for our sanctification in and through us by His Spirit. 

Moses was meek. “Now the man Moses was very meek, more that all people who were on the face of the earth.” Meekness is not timidity.  Meekness is not weakness. In fact, a common definition of meekness is power or strength under control.  Moses went to Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt, and said, “the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.  But so far, you have not obeyed.’ Thus says the LORD, ‘By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn to blood.'”  Ex 7:16

I recently had a conversation with a friend about people that feel perfectly free to share their opinion, speak unkindly, disrespect or yell at others (Christians and non-Christians alike).  If you are like me, it probably catches you off guard.  I am usually appalled that people think it’s okay to treat others like that.  When it happens, I cringe and have to work hard at speaking at all. My inclination is to shutdown.  It occurred to me as Scott spoke that maybe it is in those moments that God is weaving meekness into my spirit. 

I know a lot of strong women, perhaps you are one of them.  I would venture to say I consider myself a strong woman.  Where do we fit into God’s plan?  I don’t believe it is to shut down and become mealy mouses.  But I don’t believe it is to steamroll over others either with our opinions or efforts.   As God works His meekness into our spirits He is teaching us to have our strength under Holy Spirit control. 
We don’t have to speak everything that pops into our heads. Sometimes our opinions should be kept to ourselves.  Sometimes we need to speak up. Sometimes we need to confront.  So don’t shrink back.  But let us allow the Spirit of God to glorify Himself in our strengths as well as our weaknesses. 

Blessings, Diane

Scott recommended the book by Terry Johnson, “When Grace Transforms: The Character of Christ’s Disciples Put Forward in the Beatitides”. Sounds like a good read.