I’m #Blessed When I Am Meek

Read the previous article in this series I’m #Blessed Because I Grieve With Hope

We live in a culture that views meekness as weakness. The bold are prized. Those who take what life “owes” them are applauded as the successful, the champions. We don’t value those who serve, but those who are served by others. 

That is the dream we are programmed to strive for from a young age. That is the definition of success we are given. 

But like most of the standards we are given from childhood, Christ has also turned this one upside down. 

He didn’t say that we are blessed when we are bold, daring, and take what we think we’re owed – He said we were blessed when we were meek. 

Meek. 

I don’t know what your image of meekness is, but mine involves a Puritan girl sitting at the table, knowing that she needs to be seen, not heard.. and maybe also not seen. 

Thankfully, Jesus didn’t speak in meekness in terms of silent, stoic people, but in terms of people who were noticed for their love and humility. 

Not only did Christ speak of meekness, but He gave us the ultimate example in Himself. 

Christ didn’t display meekness in quietly letting others walk over Him, but in actively serving others to fulfill His God-given mission. 

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45, ESV

Christ came and served. He didn’t insist upon what He deserved, but insisted instead upon letting fragile humans baptize Him and washing the feet of His disciples. 

He demonstrated for us what meekness looked like – a heart that is humbled before God and content with honor Him, instead of man. 

We don’t see this type of humility often.

We see people clamoring over position, power, and notice. 

But when we still our hearts, when we shut out what pounding fists of the world and listen to the quiet knock of Jesus, when we invite Him and share our table with the one who offered His very Body and Blood for our sustenance, we have all we could ever need. 

When we humble ourselves and show the meekness of heart Christ talked about, we are blessed with the promise that we will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth – Matthew 5:5, ESV

Not the ones who clamor, not the ones we oooo and ahhh over, but the meek. 

Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:42-45, ESV

What sets us apart in God’s eyes is not how many eyes are upon us, but how many hearts we touch in service. Have I become a slave to all or a slave to my ambition? Am I eager to serve those around me or am I positioning myself to scratch the backs of those who can scratch mine?

We are blessed when we dedicate ourselves to the meekness. 

Let us strive to be people who are not known for our possessions or our positions but for how we show others the sacrificial love and humility of Christ. May we strive over and over again to surrender our rights and give the best parts of ourselves to those around us.

May each person who crosses our path walk away knowing that they are seen and beloved Image-bearers. 

As we live as the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth, may we follow the example He set of taking on the dirty jobs (John 13) and giving our all in love for everyone, even those who would scorn us (John 15). 

Because when we display this meekness, we have the promise of the blessing of the inheritance of the Earth. 

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