Meekness

Matthew 5:5

"Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). The word meek has a negative connotation in English. Maybe it's because it sounds a lot like mousy or because of the old hymn "Gentle Jesus, meek and mild". We hear, "Blessed are the meek," and we imagine a person with unkempt greasy hair, a limp handshake, and a habit of speaking to the floor. Not exactly, someone we aspire to be. "Blessed are the meek?" Many people think, "that's great! But it's not for me."

But meekness is an essential kingdom quality. So if it isn't to be mousy mild, and bland, what is it? I found a good definition from a website called Crossmap Christian: meekness is "great strength under control". The authors got this definition from the the Greek word for meek, praus. Sailors used praus to describe a gentle breeze. Praus was also used for a soothing medicine or a broken colt. (See
http://pastors.crossmap.com/article/blessed-are-the-meek/item331.htm)

I like the last image of praus, of a broken colt, the best. There are several ways to break a colt. One way is through forcing it

A broken colt knows who its master is, it responds both to the reins as well as its rider (horses tend to walk in the direction that a rider is looking). I think one aspect of meekness is a reponsiveness to God. An openness and willingness, to move in the direction he is looking.

There are other definitions of meekness out there. I liked the one from the Online Etymology Dictionary: ".1200, 'gentle, courteous, kind,' from O.N. mjukr 'soft, pliant, gentle,' from P.Gmc. *meukaz (cf. Goth. muka-modei 'humility,' Du. muik 'soft'), of uncertain origin. Sense of 'submissive' is from mid-14c."

Being submissive is a bit hard. Even if I can get over that meekness doesn't make me insecure or muted, it's still pretty hard to embrace an attitude of submission. There's two reasons: one submissiveness goes against the grain of my natural self as well as my culture (Americans were born to rebel!), but also submissiveness sometimes gets equated with being controlled or timid. Jesus was the most meek of men, but he was never controlled nor was he timid. He who would over and over again remind his family that they did not direct his ministry, and he would overturn tables in the temple.

Another clue about submission is found in Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Meekness is not just an absence of something (pride), but an active consideration of others: What are the rights of others? What are the needs of others? How can I best serve others?

I'm not sure I'm meek yet. but God is working in me to teach me to submit to his leading (he's the ultimate people-whisperer) and accept his kingdom on his terms.