Day 18
A Gentle Breeze
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus fills the gospels with powerful "I am" statements like "I am the bread of life," "I am the way, the truth, and the life," and "I am the light of the world." In these declarations, Jesus reveals His divinity in all its glory. We look to Him to be what we cannot be in our humanity; yet, to a crowd of weary travelers, Jesus offers an invitation to find rest, the refreshing of body and soul, by learning from His words and example.
As we explore the Fruit of the Spirit, which so aptly describe Jesus' nature and character, the fruit of gentleness mystifies many. Too often, we consider gentleness the mark of weakness or even timid unwillingness to stand up and be counted. Yet, Jesus declared, "I am gentle and lowly in heart." When I look by faith in the face of our LORD, weakness and timid retreat never cross my mind.
During the contentious days of the Protestant Reformation, St. Francis de Sales had the unenviable calling to be a Catholic bishop in Geneva, a hotbed of Calvinism. Unlike many peers, he held his loyal opposition in grace instead of fighting back with righteous fury. His humble attitude can be seen in his words, "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."
The Greek word that is translated “gentleness” could also refer to a soothing breeze, healing medicine, or even the temperament of a tamed horse.
When a cowboy mounts his gentle steed, he never questions its strength and stamina. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, described gentleness as the state of being in the tension between feeling angry and total apathy. When we learn from Jesus, we develop the character of a non-anxious presence in a world rifted by conflict and chaos.
The gentleness of Jesus in our hearts will enable us to pause before reacting, listen before pontificating, speak with seasoned kindness, help rather than harm, and say "thank you" instead of complaining. Our presence will be like a cool breeze on a hot day, and our smiles will remind others of Jesus.
FURTHER REFLECTION:
Read Galatians 6:1. Why do you believe it is important that those who restore the fallen do so in a "spirit of gentleness?”
You cannot put "be gentle" on a to-do list in order to discipline yourself to be more kind, so what are you doing to encourage Jesus to teach you to be more like Him?
PRAYER:
Father, as the weight of the world weighs on my heart and soul, help me to learn from Jesus to be "gentle and lowly in spirit" so I can find rest for my soul and bear grace and goodness to those who cross my path. May my life be a cool breeze to those who desperately need to experience Your presence. Shape my heart and character to be more and more like Jesus, my gentle Savior. In His Name, I pray, Amen.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 4:1-3, I Timothy 6:11
by David Lowrie