Meek

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5

It is a T-junction on a short-cut route that motorists use to avoid the heavy jam at a major cross junction.

So, the sleek Mercedes is coming from the left and it wants to enter the junction and turn right – to the direction that I am coming from.

I intend to enter the junction and continue to the right.

However, the Mercedes blocks me, though it doesn’t have enough space to complete the turn.

I can’t reverse because the cars behind me are bumper to bumper.

The only alternative is for the Mercedes to reverse and go ahead without turning into the junction.

Indeed, that is what the car ahead of the Mercedes just did a moment earlier.

So, it is a deadlock – the Mercedes driver refuses to relent.

As a matter of fact, the driver switches off the engine, keeping the tinted windows up.

Meanwhile, the lines of vehicles behind me and behind the Mercedes are getting longer.

A lady comes from one of the cars behind and to understand what is wrong. 

Seething with anger, she approaches the Mercedes and knocks on the window.

After a while, the window comes down to reveal a nice-looking lady, with dark shades.

“Do you really need a traffic policeman to come here and tell you that what you’re doing doesn’t make sense”? The lady asks in an angry tone.

The Mercedes lady’s window goes up again, without her saying a single word.

A number of gentlemen joins the fray.

The Mercedes window comes down once again, as the knocking intensifies.

“This is a Mercedes Benz, not a Toyota!” The lady roars angrily as she reverses to drive off in a rage. 

Meekness is in short supply in society today, leave alone on the roads.

It’s incredible how some people can go to great lengths in an effort to make others look small, if not nothing.

In our meditation today, our Lord Jesus teaches us that the meek are blessed are “they shall inherit the earth.”

I used to think that being ‘meek’ is the same as being ‘humble.’

However, the two are different.

“Spiritual growth (conforming to Christ’s likeness) is integral to developing meekness. ‘Learn from Me,’ says the Lord.”

In the Hebrew, the word for ‘meek’ is used to describe someone who is gentle, modest, and unassuming in his/her interactions with others.

In Numbers 12:3, Moses was described as the “meekest man on earth” for declining to demand his rights in the face of accusations.

Meekness also involves forbearance and being submissive or acquiescent and yielding – often in a situation where one might feel justified in asserting themselves and defending one’s rights.

On the other hand, humility involves having a lowly and modest opinion of oneself, a willingness to seek help and to learn from others, out of a recognition that one has limitations and weaknesses.

Simply put, meekness focuses on one’s behavior towards others, while humility focuses on one’s attitude towards oneself – how one views himself/herself in comparison to others.

Psalm 37:11 says; “But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”

That implies that how we relate with others is a key determinant of how much inner peace we shall have.

Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  (Matthew 11:29).

That implies that you should emulate our Lord Jesus to develop the character of meekness.

Here are few tips on how we can grow in meekness:

Controlling our emotions (emotional intelligence) is crucial for developing meekness. 

Remember; self-control is part of the “Fruit of the Holy Spirit.”

Secondly, spiritual growth (conforming to Christ’s likeness) is integral to developing meekness. “Learn from Me,” says the Lord.

Practice the presence of God; ask, ‘What Would Jesus Do’?

Develop the mindset of serving others. “Take my yoke upon you,” says the Lord.

Look out for opportunities to take on the yoke of being of service to others in every situation.

For every one of us, incorporating meekness into our daily lives as we relate with family, colleagues, neighbors and friends, is crucial for long-term happiness in this world.