Gentle and Lowly…
Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash
This past month, I have really been diving into one of the fruits of The Spirit…Gentleness.
It is definitely not one of the most sought after virtues in our harsh society, is it?
We don’t hear lectures, lessons, or really any teaching on the virtue of gentleness…except in God’s Word.
There has to be a reason God wants to give us this fruit. It must be important to our faith journey.
It certainly is important.
Think of 5 people off the top of your head that you would describe as having a “gentle” spirit.
It’s harder than you think!
Gentleness is a rare commodity in our world today.
We want to be “right”. We want to be “liked”.
We don’t want to be vulnerable or lacking in strength.
Perhaps, gentleness comes from great strength.
Strength to be kind.
Strength to hold our tongues.
Strength to forgive those that hurt us.
Strength to not have to prove ourselves constantly.
Gentleness does not demand…anything.
The Greek definition of gentleness is the word “praus”.
The definition of “praus” is…mildness, humility, meekness, controlled strength, and patience.
Wow.
Jesus is our Perfect Example of Gentleness.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
The way He was always looking to help, heal, and love others.
The way He forgave, even as He was dying on the Cross that afternoon.
The way He loved the “least of these”.
Jesus did not seek others approval, He just sought His Father’s.
Perhaps gentleness is also a contentment in God. Contentment in His care over us.
When our eyes are looking up to Him, it is hard to be distracted by the world and its demands.
When we really live out the verse…”Seek first the kingdom of God…from Matthew 6:33…
Surely, Gentleness will be a fruit from doing this.
His Kingdom is Gentle.
His Kingdom is everything that the world is NOT.
His Kingdom is upside down from this world and its virtues.
Let’s choose to take a gentleness inventory this week.
Check our words, our actions, and even our thoughts.
Would you describe them as “gentle?”
Trust me, this is harder than it seems.
I have been praying about this all month!
If we do not want to look like the world, then we cannot act like the world and all of its hardness.
We must ask for His Strength to help us to be gentle and Christ-like.
It is no job for the weak, let me tell you.
Only through Jesus and His help will we be able to live out this Fruit of the Spirit.
Don’t you want to be around people that are gentle? Not easily moved, not easily ruffled.
Me too.
Let’s be those people.
Starting today.
gentleness seeking,
jill
