Sow gentleness.

Meekness is strength under the control of the Holy Spirit.  A gentle person exercises personal power without abuse.  This fruit is infused with grace.  One who is gentle has received grace and understands the importance of humbly extending it to others.  Meekness requires a submissive spirit that trusts that God is good.

When I was a young believer in my teens, I remember thinking that meekness was not going to be possible for me.  By nature, I was highly boisterous, strongly opinionated, and easily annoyed.  Meekness must be for pastor’s wives and missionaries, I thought.  Surely, God did not expect me to be a doormat.  I was a lion, not a lamb.

Now, 30 years later, I look back and smile.   I realize that God is a God of order.  He is in charge, and I am not.  Throughout my life, God has patiently allowed me to experience turmoil, disappointment, and pain.  At each turning point, I had to make a decision — would  I trust that God is sovereign and good?  If so, then I must submit.  I must obey.  I must walk forward trusting in His grace.

Today, I may occasionally roar, but more often I just choose to follow and let God do the roaring.

If you allow God to tame you, you will be a docile lion for God.

+++

“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel

but must be kind to everyone,

be able to teach,

and be patient with difficult people.

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth.

Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts,

and they will learn the truth.”

II Timothy 2:25-26, NLT

+++

Q4U:  Do you roar or do you follow?  How has God developed meekness in you?

+++

Thank you for joining me for Day 27!