Be Gentle

“Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.” Matthew 11:29 TPT

Driving! People drive me crazy on the road. No indicating, slow moving, driving in the turn lane, going slow in the passing lane on the highway, driving under the speed limit, running red lights, pulling out in front of you then going sooooo sloooooow. You know what I’m talking about. Take away their licenses!! Social media posts don’t get me started. Why do people feel the need to post every single thought that pops into their head about every situation they don’t agree with. People who dog on others because their opinions don’t line up with their own. I wanna ask who made you the be all and end all of every current topic. Stop with the comments, the tirades, the shaming. It isn’t necessary. It makes me soooo angry to see bullying in any forum. But if I respond, how am I any different to them?

With the way I do respond, to certain life situations, I often wonder if I have truly and completely joined my life with Jesus. The opening passage of scripture is an example of how I should behave in my Christian walk, be gentle, humble, easy to please, these should be a byproduct of the Holy Spirit in me. Jesus said “all these things you see me do you shall do and more John” 14:12, he wasn’t only talking about miracles, healings and casting out demons. I believe he had to be talking about his nature too, without Jesus’ gentle, humble, compassionate nature how could we possible be anything like him? The fruit of the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us when we give our lives to Jesus.

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

Joy that overflows

Peace that subdues

Patience that endures

Kindness in action

A life full of virtue

Faith that prevails

GENTLENESS of heart

Strength of spirit

Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.” Galatians 5:22-23 TPT

Hmmmm I can tell you I am missing (some of) the evidence of these fruits. At my very best I flow in and out of them. It’s not supposed to be like this, is it? I can hear that resounding NOOOOOOO in my head!

When Jesus expressed his gentleness, it could’ve been seen as weakness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! It took a mighty amount of strength and self-control to be gentle with many of the people he met. It’s far easier to let go of/unleash what you are feeling than to hold it in. It’s like a dog struggling on a leash because he sees another dog or a rabbit or a squirrel. He wants to get off that leash and go after what he sees, it would be easier on the owner, the person holding on to the leash to let go but they know they have to hold on with a firm two handed grip, otherwise it won’t end well. The dog, if allowed to do as he wants, will use all his energy chasing that poor little creature and chances are he won’t be gentle if he catches it, it could be a bloody mess. Whenever I say what I want to say, when I ‘unleash’ my opinion, instead of holding on to it, controlling it, it can leave a trail of pain and shame. Granted, in the moment it may feel good to say or do what I want but after a bit the realization of the unnecessariness of my actions sinks in and I’m wishing I could turn back time, take it all back, stuff it back in. Unfortunately, once I unleash my tirade there’s no taking it back. The damage is already and sometimes irrevocably done.

It takes a lot of gentleness on Jesus’ part to deal with me, I would say with most of us because of the daft, idiotic, hurtful things we say and do. I want to mirror Jesus’ gentleness, his kindness in action speckled with compassion.

How about you do you need to be gentle? How do we achieve this Jesus kind of gentleness?

1 Peter 4:12-19 is all about suffering for being a Christian. It isn’t about being insulted over political beliefs, driving skills (or lack of them), or offended over a personal attack. Nope, it’s about suffering for your Christian beliefs. It I can get ahold of this truth. The truth I need to only be concerned about my walk with Christ. Growing my relationship with him. Committing myself to God, my faithful Creator and learn to do good, to be gentle with everyone (1 Peter 4:19) If I can do these things, I can become gentler, kinder and more caring and compassionate.

I think perhaps I’ve lost sight of, or never fully understood, this life isn’t mine to do with as I please. I was put here for such a time as this to serve God and serve people. I am called to serve with humility, grace and gentleness. It makes me sad and embarrassed to know I allow myself to be sidetracked by unimportant things that get me to respond with pride or disdain, impatience or harshness, anger or unkindness. I’m supposed to be a Christian. Christians do not behave this way…… Christians LOVE in spite of negativity, stupidity, ignorance and prejudice.

So, I’m getting in the Word, not a digital Bible on my phone not in a devotional, (even though these are great tools), I need, at this time, to study the actual Word of God. I am picking my Bible up letting the Holy Spirit lead me to what I need to read. I’m determined to cultivate an attitude of devotion to God to be all in so he may mold me into the best gentlest, most compassionate, loving, all inclusive version of me. I’m learning, through His Word, others opinions, as they spout them on social media or otherwise, do not matter, what’s happening in the world is beyond most of our control and arguing over it, blasting our opinions in person or on social media, won’t make a blind bit of difference. Getting angry changes nothing but perhaps my blood pressure. Being annoyed about anything or with anyone changes nothing, and is helpful to no one. Offense is just another way of saying I’m right and you’re wrong. I may be cancelled by culture but no one can cancel Gods truth of who I am and how I am to respond! Because God has the grace to forgive me for all my wrongdoing and sin and calls me a new creation in Christ shouldn’t I extend the same offering to everyone I meet? Gods grace restores us to wholeness, helps us establish a firm foundation, extends unconditional love, teaches us to do what is right in his sight, shows us how to live joyfully and triumphantly and shows us how to treat others well.

Living in Gods grace doesn’t mean we won’t face trials or attacks from others but it does mean we won’t have to respond to them the same way. We will learn the tools to love them with gentleness and compassion and to turn the other cheek. Because honestly in the scope of eternity how can others ever truly wound us?

I vow I will learn to live gently, humbly and be easy to please.

If you know me and catch me acting otherwise remind me of Galatians 6:1;

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1

**I would like to dedicate this in memory of a wonderful friend with the gentlest of souls, Jerry, he got it, he knew who Jesus was and how to be Jesus to everyone he met. He, much like Jesus, could be all things to all people. If you needed to laugh, he was comic, if you needed to talk, he was a listener and he might take you fishing, if you needed to learn, he taught through everyday experiences. Whatever you needed he made himself available. He chose many years ago that if his only choices were Heaven or hell he was choosing Heaven! He never looked back and continued, even through his final days, to learn and grow in Jesus Christ. He was a friend, a mentor and a mighty man of God! Jerry you will be greatly missed but your legacy lives on in all our hearts and the action steps we take to model your love of God for people.