Meekness
by Jim Person
Each year for Christmas we purchase a ‘family gift’ we all can enjoy together. This year it was decided to get a game we could play together. Oh that it was a vacuum cleaner or something more mundane! There’s nothing like a game to expose areas in our lives which need to be worked on. Have you ever felt exposed and laid bare before others? I have to confess these games have undone me. Areas I had thought were refined years ago are resurfacing, and I have to react meekly, as the alternative is not pleasant.
The scriptures are clear on how we are to live with others. One aspect is to be meek. Meekly living with others requires us to not look only to our own interests, but to consider others and their interests (Philippians 3:3-4). This means we are not looking for our own pleasure and self-satisfaction, but, in unselfishness, and through gentleness, with patience, we live together. I have found that to be meek requires humility. For as we humble ourselves, we stop relying on our own abilities and begin to rely on God’s, which allows meekness to come into our lives.
Perhaps you too have had situations that resulted in behaviour coming out of you that is anything but meek. This is why we have God’s Spirit in us, to show us when we are not lining up to His ways. In the world today we see a real lack of meekness, as people seem to have little patience, let alone kindness or gentleness, with others. I have found this a strange, almost foreign, concept to most people, and I think a lot of people look at meekness as weakness, when it really isn’t. It takes strength to live humbly and meekly. I’m looking forward to playing more games with the family. Whether winning or losing, it really is how we play the game that’s important.
This year let’s endeavour to live meekly and show other people God’s love.
Prayer: Lord, help me to treat others as I would like to be treated. Teach me how to be meek and live humbly and with patience and kindness. I want to reflect more of Your character to those around me. Amen.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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