Does meekness look different for me than it does for women? Can a strong man or woman be meek?
My answer was.
Depends on how we interpret meekness. We do understand the meekness is a fruit of the spirit but the degree of our understanding will determine how we live it out. Behavior is a reflection of belief.
Meekness by definition is synonymous with the notion of being submissive. The first scripture came to mind was Matt 5:5 blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Which is a reiteration of Psalms 37:11.
But then when I got to Mat 11:28-30 I saw something that blew my mind. I hope you see the same thing I saw. After having established what meekness is. Listen to the text from the king james.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.\
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Surely the one whom by which the universe was created was not saying he was lowly. He could not mean what he said. Unless we are missing something in the context of scripture.
This is a classic example of reading something but paying attention to what you are reading. The context of this scripture is saying something specific to how we carry on in our life. We get into the habit of spending a considerable amount of time exercising our mind and will to accomplish sometimes very meaningless tasks. We take on the stresses of making provision for ourselves under the guides of independence and self sufficiency but we have no so learned in Christ. Jesus offers a different level of living in his kingdom.
The message bible reiterates this lifestyle thusly.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
The phrase that stood out to me that may stand out to you is the UNFORCED RHYTHMS of grace. This notion that there is something that is going on and was going on the whole time while I was overexerting myself to getting much less than what I was putting in. Jesus offers to us in the way of discipleship..not salvation( which in this case is recognizing his presence enough to come) a way to live in which he offers to be a step by step emulator .... Do exactly as I do.
Inferred in the text seems to be this idea that Christ will not only grant us peace and rest but show us how to work within the rest that he has provided. Subject work that I do that produces fatigue on many levels and work that God does that produces rest on those same levels. Then there is an tutoring of sorts that requires a link between us and him.
What is the link? Lets look at the text.
Take my yoke upon you are learn of me....my yoke is easy and burden is light. What manner of work is easier when you do it? Who makes doing something easier with God's guidance? How is does God guide us and still be with us at the same time.
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