"Steel and Velvet"
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Abraham Lincoln's biographer, Carl Sandberg, described him as "both steel and velvet ... as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog." Lincoln's steely will held the course through an awful civil war, because he believed it necessary, and based on a just cause. Yet with the victory won, as Robert E. Lee surrendered, Lincoln brought a gentler touch to his former enemies. He chose to "to bind up the nation's wounds" — rather than to rule with an iron fist. It reminds us of a biblical virtue that leaders — and all disciples — need today.
We're Cross Training to develop our leadership, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Leadership comes when we follow Jesus, live with meekness, let our lights shine, and shepherd those around us. But what is meekness, and how does it shape our relationship with God, others, and our circumstances?
What You Need to Know
A lot of folks seem to associate meekness with weakness. We might think of a meek person as a doormat that gets walked over. But Aristotle described prautes — the Greek word behind it — as the balance "between bad temper and spineless incompetence, between extreme anger and indifference" (TDNT). As misunderstood as meekness is, it's no wonder modern translators update it to "gentleness" (e.g. Gal. 5:23) or "humility" (Zeph. 2:3). It could describe a tamed and trained animal — even a mighty warhorse — whose fierce strength stays under the control of its rider. And so, as we surrender to God's will, we live with the quiet strength-under-control the Bible calls "meekness."
Jesus the "meek and lowly" gives his meekness as a reason to follow him (Matt. 11:29-30). Which makes perfect sense, since a spirit of meekness lets a king have compassion on his people, giving mercy rather than always leading with a rod (cf. 1 Cor. 4:21). He leads his disciples into the blessedness of a meek life (Matt. 5:5) and wants our relationships defined by such a gracious, meek way with one another (Eph. 4:2).
We can also learn a lot from Moses, who "was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). Moses seems hotheaded and out-of-control as a forty-year-old (Ex. 2:11-15). Then, as an eighty year old he seems so lowly he's broken down, too full of doubt to yield to God (Ex. 4:1, 10, 13). But through his continued service to God, Moses learned meekness — the humble strength to stand against Pharaoh (Ex. 5-14), and the patient gentleness to lead an obstinate people (Ex. 16).
What You Need to Do
Keep a meek and moldable mind when you hear God's word (James 1:19-21). Meekness epitomizes the ideal learner's attitude. Even the most mature among us can continue growing when we humbly receive instruction, yielding to its wisdom. The opposite of a meek learner is a defensive, stubborn heart — a perfect recipe for keeping you just as you are, hardening to the pain of correction, but also missing the gifts of growth.
Be considerate, courteous, patient, and kind. Flying off the handle and impulsively fighting for our rights can get mistaken for strength. But that's the easy way, not the way of noble character. Meekness points to a different kind of wisdom, teaching us to empty ourselves rather than grasping at status (Phil. 2:5-7). The meek pursue harmony and prioritize people over selfish ambitions (James 3:13-18). They're "peaceable, gentle, open to reason" (James 3:17) and "look ... to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).
And finally, don't kick against God's direction. While Paul resisted the will of Christ, the Lord appeared to him and said "It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14). A stubborn horse might fight against the stick used to prod them on. But what does the horse really gain? A lot of pain in their backside! And what do we gain from our "self-determination," when we resist the Lord's leadership? Pain and frustration where we could have God's peace and abundant grace! Our Lord desires to lead you, to bless you, and to mold you into his image, "both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
Through the Week
- Read (Mon) — Matt. 5:3-12; 11:25-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Col. 3:12-15; James 3:13-18
- Reflect (Tue) — Is there an area of my life where I'm fighting God rather than yielding?
- Request (Wed) — "Give me a heart of meekness. As I receive your implanted word, shape my life" (cf. James 1:21).
- Respond (Thu) — Place the words "blessed are the meek" in your pocket as a reminder today.
- Reach Out (Fri) — Where have you seen the beauty of meekness in others?
