Missio Dei GR
Blessed are the Meek...
I have always liked the word meek ever since I heard it described as "power under control". I think this world often see's meekness as weakness and yet most of us often admire those who are meek, the Ghandi's, the Mandela's, and Martin Luther King's and Mother Theresa's of this world. They were powerful men who understood that meekness is strength not weakness. Jesus was the ultimate example of this and was the model of all four of these individuals. I wonder why it seems so difficult though to accept meekness, choosing to be last instead of first, choosing to be servant instead of served, choosing to turn the other cheek or walk the extra mile. I know for me it is often rooted in one of my more consistent sins: selfishness. I have such a hard time thinking that selflessness is rooted in strength, remembering that Christ will reward the actions of the meek with an inheritance of this earth. The irony of meekness is that its worth fighting for...
I have always liked the word meek ever since I heard it described as "power under control". I think this world often see's meekness as weakness and yet most of us often admire those who are meek, the Ghandi's, the Mandela's, and Martin Luther King's and Mother Theresa's of this world. They were powerful men who understood that meekness is strength not weakness. Jesus was the ultimate example of this and was the model of all four of these individuals. I wonder why it seems so difficult though to accept meekness, choosing to be last instead of first, choosing to be servant instead of served, choosing to turn the other cheek or walk the extra mile. I know for me it is often rooted in one of my more consistent sins: selfishness. I have such a hard time thinking that selflessness is rooted in strength, remembering that Christ will reward the actions of the meek with an inheritance of this earth. The irony of meekness is that its worth fighting for...
posted by Missio Dei at 11:15 PM
8 Comments:
So, here is the question, how does a person know when he or she can fight and when they should not? Not just physical (though Jesus cracked whips in the temple and Paul stood toe to toe with Peter over the "to be Jewish or not to be Jewish" question within a now Christian frame work.) I don't disagree with being meek, I just wonder when it’s appropriate and when its not. And maybe it’s my American mindset to fight and stand up for what’s right playing in here too, but this is something that needs answering. Israel wasn't always a meet nation when God said go and take your land I give to you.
The Traveling Companion
great questions, traveling companion! I find myself wondering, "where are you traveling?"
That’s a good question, one that I am more than willing to share. I am a person who is going down a path in life, as everyone is. I am traveling down this road to find out what this life in Christ really means. Yes I am a Christian, don't worry about that, but we grow, learn and develop hopefully our faith becomes greater richer and fuller. I am traveling down life’s road for righteousness and trying to find out what it means to be concerned about real issues in life (relationships social justice, and what true love really is) anyway has a great day. As for a little more on me. I am traveling with you, and everyone else who is on the same road I am.
by the way, I loved the imagery of the candles in a dark room, when you look around at everyone who has them in hand all attention is drawn to the face of those holding them and lit by the candles light.
The Traveling Companion
Good thoughts traveling companion, I know there are times when turning the other cheek is not the best option... I suppose though for me I am so quick to want to defend myself that meekness is almost always my secondary thought. It probably goes back to heart attitude... I think it is alright for me to be angry over sin and injustice but all too often my ego somehow gets wrapped up in what is sin and injustice and my desire to be right or vindicated often makes my anger wrong. When Jesus was angry it was usually not an afront to him personally (although being God I suppose one could argue the afront was personal), his human ego (if I can say that...I hope you understand what I'm trying to say here) was never involved. When he could have defended himself during his trial and execution he turned the other cheek. Maybe that is our help in deciphering when "righteous indignation" is appropriate and when meekness should be embraced. Maybe a good questions is "Should meekness be embraced as the form of righteous anger?" (i.e. Ghandi, MLK, Mandela)...I'm still chewing on this one...
Toran
p.s. it might be helpful for anonymous posters (or anyone for that matter) to give yourself a name at the bottom of the posts such as Traveling Companion did so we know who's posts are who's. Just a thought...
The irony of meekness is that its worth fighting for.
Quite the great insight!
And, I, too believe the bent away from meekness is selfishness. Moreover, it's a choice. I have opportunities every day to choose to be meek or choose otherwise. My choices will always affect my family, community, and my future. But, praise God, I have this choice.
Are we to say that anytime someone who is a Christian fights for something is in sin because they are not being Meek? Here is a thought that I think will be the logical but not necessarily right. if someone is disgracing -beating, mocking, traumatizing or anything really - to another human being either you (whoever is reading this) or someone you know and we recognize that we are made in the image of our creator then is it not right to fight and stand up in adversity to that. It seems meekness means something more than just letting things happen to us. If this were the case we would become doormats for anyone to walk and step on. This actually hits home to me because this is how I used to live my life. As a door mat, useless, someone who just let things happen to him. And that took its toll. Where is the balance? When can we stand and when should we practice meekness? I’m not trying to argue with the term, it’s biblical and we are commanded to be meek as kingdom people. But Jesus was angry and upset because the temple was being desecrated (defending Gods House Gods temple, well we are the temple of God. Should we too defend and keep holy and pure that both intrinsically and extrinsically. especially because we are made in the image of God, how much more than being just a temple where God resides though that would be enough, we are actually the physical, emotional mental and spiritual image bearers of the creator YHWH.
These are my thoughts. Any comments to help with these ideas?
Questions answers sorrows, and joyful song, how can we tarry with all of this in one life. We are inconsistent as humans but all of this is apart of who we are now. Lets claim the answers of our God on high and live like there’s no tomorrow. Let us put aside the dismal parts of where our humanity has fallen short and live in the light both the greater day and lesser night as God created oh perfect creation and thought of you and me, through the dawn of eternity and man. Oh wait and see the soon to be the kingdom sight.
The Traveling Companion
I can see that maybe I came on a little strong with my persistent asking. I will leave that issue to myself to wrestle with.
Here is another question for you all.
Within the Sermon on the Mount
How do we create a community that is in the world, not of the world redeeming culture, but visible to a point where the community is genuine and together, but not so closed that we are ineffective in the Kingdom. Speaking out against "Christian doctors" and "Christian candy" and "Christian bumper stickers" and Christian subculture that are really for lack of a better term cheesy and not well done.
The Traveling Companion
Ooo... good question. I think that to become this true God following community rather than the faith-pushing community really comes down to a deep heart change. It's slow and painful sometimes. A gradual stretching that comes from true love and honest motives. It's also a cultural change. There seems to be a bit of the christian culture that tells you- if you're not standing on the street corner and screaming 'repent', you're not doing all you can. but culture has changed and we need to as well. Don't get me wrong, i dont think all christian things are bad. some people like to wear jesus on their tee shirt and honestly i used to look up to them because i specifically didn't cause i wasn't bold enough. and it's sad to be a little embarassed of what you believe or worried that you will be held accountable to what you're proclaiming. i think the crux is motive. are you wearing that gear out of pride? are you soley supporting christian this and that because you believe that christians are superior? and are you isolating yourself into a christian bubble, which may start small as you're "protecting" yourself from the world but eventually kills the adventurous spirit God put in you. To become a community, i had to say it, but we need to be a little more like a business. We need to decide to change deep within ourselves and consistently, maybe even strategically, force ourselves to step out and change. Then we need to accept our failing and just be real. Cause the world is full of smart people and they are more attune to hype than anyone can imagine.
-C
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