Keep Your Gentleness

 

This world seeks to transform us into cruel and cold beings. To accept its message that, “you must become a monster,” or “Mean” to achieve what you desire. At what cost though? The Apostle said, “What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul. What can then a person offer for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). And another Apostle even said, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). 

I confess that I have been pressed by the ‘Winepress’ of this world to be less warm and welcoming. That I have found the mutant strain like something in one of those Alien films wrapping around my DNA, and heart seeking to change me, perhaps that is why it says, “the peace of God which surpasses all understsnd ing will guard your heart in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7). The battle over your soul is real, and one of the things this world tries to destroy first is a gentle spirit. Gentleness is seen as weakness, so the bullies and acolytes of this world will try to beat it out of you one way or another, seeking to turn you into a Darth Vader, seeking to Force Choke everyone in your anger. The reason this world hates gentle and tender folk is they do not trust them, they think you maybe one of those pretenders, who use it as an art of manipulation, or worse its genuine, and so they know that ultimately you will go far if they do not bar your way. But before you surrender your gentleness for bitterness, remember what our LORD says of Himself, “I am gentle and humble of heart,” (Matthew 11:29). Jesus Christ our Lord and The Son of God is gentle, and so that innate gentleness you possess at a young age, and some retain into adulthood is Christ shining through you. Remember that Jesus told us that we must “become like little children to enter the kingdom.” (Matthew 18:3). While children can be very mean, make no mistake, good children have gentleness, cry at the death of an insect, and find dark things traumatizing; that I believe is what Christ wants of us, to be remain “gentle as doves,” (Matthew 10:16) but “wise as serpents.” (Matthew 10:16). This is a tricky equilibrium, to know how the serpents think and plot, both angelic and human form, but to retain that gentleness of a dove. For the Third Person of the Trinity, The Holy Spirit, appeared as a dove (Matthew 3:16)  and The Fruit of The Spirit is gentleness, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

This world seeks to turn us into breakers, smashers and destroyers. I think of the movie Batteries Not Included (1987), in which one of hired men trashes Frank’s Restaurant to make him move out, but in a prayer of sorts, Frank asks for help, and these flying saucer alien robots that are small show up and can fix anything, including the restaurant. In these creatures is a gentleness, particularly in their spawn, one in particular is this green eyed one that a Retired Boxer turned Handyman resuscitated when its still born. This little guy called Wheez or Whistle, has a sweet song when he is on screen, always gentle and trying to help, even in one scene trying to help his friend the Boxer put some stones back together on a path (see pic above). The stuck with me, that is how we are Christians are suppose to be, gentle as doves, gentle as our Savior is, and repairing, not destroying. 

I urge you in Name of the Father, The Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and The Holy Spirit to retain your gentleness. I am not saying do not ever mourn or never be angry, this is not a fake behavior of denying real feelings I am urging. No, I am saying in the face of traumas, being despitefully used, and mistreated in this world, do not let this world transform you into mean and broken figure. Rather look to Jesus who is “gentle and humble of heart, and will give you rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29). For even hanging on a cross, ridiculed, mocked, spat on, and hated by people Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 22:34). Even then, tortured and dying, our Lord did not surrender his gentleness. Amen.