Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Meek (07/18/24)
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TITLE: Missed the Point? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Asha John
07/20/24 -
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In the Greco-Roman world, I was extolled as a virtue, and according to the Sermon on the Mount, if I was used to describe someone, that person was blessed. Unfortunately, modern language has messed up big time.
I am no longer a sought-after virtue, largely because of the overtones of weakness and vulnerability associated with the present-day definitions. How ever did such a discrepancy creep into the perceptions between then and now?
Regretful as that is, I am more concerned that even those who see some value in me do not understand me well.
For instance, I recently overheard a conversation between an elder and a deacon about a church member. Referring to a rumor circulating among the congregation, the deacon said, “I’m sure Mrs. Simms had nothing to do with the gossip about the new family. She is such a soft spoken and amiable lady, the meekest among the lot”. I was surprised, to say the least. Granted that a quiet manner of speaking and general amiability is part of who I am, I would never use me to describe Mrs. Simms. Not by a long shot. Her peevish disposition when things do not go her way is not common knowledge, but her family and close friends are definitely aware of it.
Then, there is that guy, a faithful volunteer at the soup kitchen down the street, who I refer to as Mr. Resigned. There is a ‘woe is me’ air about him. He has resigned himself to whatever life has meted out to him since he has no control over his circumstances. Interestingly, he makes people around him aware of that as well which is probably why he has gained the reputation of being “a sad and meek soul”. It bothers me that they miss an important fact; a patient and hopeful endurance is clearly my hallmark. And that’s definitely missing. Don’t they see?
Even worse was a sermon I chanced upon last month on a popular Christian channel. The preacher seemed to have completely missed the point when he equated me to being timid and feeble, something of a milquetoast. His exposition on the topic seemed counterproductive considering the blandness of what he was offering to the listeners. I sounded spineless, hardly heroic and at the best, a doormat. I would go so far as to say that the picture he painted resembled, in part, the etymological offerings of Cambridge and Collins dictionaries. Perhaps that was not exactly what he meant to convey. Perhaps it came out all wrong because he himself has never grasped what I am.
So, here I am, not necessarily to right a wrong but deeply concerned that at least the followers of Christ catch a better glimpse of me.
To begin with, Meek is not equivalent to Weak. There is no ‘deficiency in spirit or courage’ as Merriam-Webster seems to imply in one of its definitions. On the contrary, I reflect an invisible resilience that is clearly God given. I have heard that I am associated with the breaking-in of wild stallions, who are caught and trained for multiple purposes. It is imperative that the spirit and courage of those horses are retained in the process of taming them or they would be of no profit, whatsoever. This was especially true for the warhorses. Strength reined in: that’s me.
Yes, I exude courage and quiet strength; restraint from using power is always for the benefit of others. As for being a doormat (the opinion of the general public), there is no truth to that at all. I take a firm stand on whatever I need to, but it is wisely done at the right time and in the right way.
I steer clear of fretting. I am the picture of contentment which shows up in the patient acceptance of undesirable circumstances in life.
I could go on and on, but the wisest counsel would be what Jesus gives in the gospel of Matthew.
'Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.’
There, you have it. Observe that life over and over and you will get a clear picture.
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