Blessed are the Wimpy?
It's not easy being meek. In fact, it isn't even easy thinking about being meek. When I think of the word "meek" I start thinking of the word "lowly" and then the next thing you know, images of sheep and cows pop into my head. Seriously.
Perspectives on meekness
Then I think of people who, at first impression, I think fall under the category of being meek. These are people who would usually be considered wimps, doormats, painfully shy or who have low self-esteem. From the looks of it, being meek is not a good thing. All of this prompts me to wonder why Jesus would want a bunch of wimpy doormats following him.
But maybe I've been looking at "meek" from the completely wrong perspective this whole time. Maybe being meek means something greater than just being soft-spoken and timid. And maybe being meek just really isn't such a bad thing after all.
In the beatitudes, Jesus blesses a lot of people with gifts that I think I'd want to give back. Who wants to be “poor in spirit”? Who wants to mourn?
Perhaps being meek has benefits that we may not see at first. But how could that be? How can something that sounds so illogical be God's truth?
How
does 'meekly courageous' sound to you?So, then, what's so good about being meek?
To start with, to be meek is not only to be humble, but to be courageous. And believe it or not, it even takes courage to be humble. When we are humble, we check our egos at the door so that we can take care of God's needs -- and needs of others -- before our own.
Well, that would make sense then, being that Jesus said the meek would inherit the earth. If you concern yourself with the needs of others, God will take care of yours. In a way, it's one of those "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours," kind of things.
Being humble isn't such a bad gig. It's giving credit where credit is due. I know I don't like hanging out with someone who thinks they're "all that," and you probably don't either. Being meek keeps our heads from swelling, because we know that all we are and all we have comes from God.
Meek leaders for a troubled world
Look at the conflicts going on in the world today. How many of them could be more easily resolved if we looked to the needs of others instead of our own needs? What do you think would happen if all of our leaders were motivated by a sincere desire to help others?
Meek and healthy relationships
Being meek helps to keep all of our relationships healthy. When we are meek, we take care of others first. We are not apathetic, going along to get along, but we're not obnoxious and over bearing either. Meekness towards others helps us to focus on relationships, while avoiding the "what's in it for me?" mentality.
And speaking of healthy relationships, God always wants to have a relationship with us. (In fact, we were made to live in a loving relationship with the Holy Trinity forever. It's the very purpose of our exisitence.) Only when we're meek we can go to God for all we need, because only then we know we are in need, and that only God can fulfill our needs. Our faith can continue to grow, because we realize that we simply don't know everything after all.
When we can let go and empty ourselves for God, that's where the good stuff is. It looks like Jesus was right about being meek. It's not such a bad thing at all -- and I now stand corrected.
Life applications:
What is your reaction when you hear the word "meek?"
When have you seen other people being meek?
How would you benefit from being meek?
by Jacki Setta
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