A Quiet Strength
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:5
Power is usually thought of as tough and forceful, sometimes even loud. Even in our lives we think that to we need to be tough in a very exterior sort of way. Yet all of these expressions miss the real mark of power. To be sure, real power knows a tough exterior when necessary, like Jesus had showed when he cleared the Temple. But real power is found gentleness when realize the Lord is with us.
In encouraging the Philippians to be gentle toward everyone, St. Paul wasn’t asking them to be weak. He knew that if they really understood the resurrection power of Christ living in them, that He was always with them, they would have a quiet and gentle strength no force of evil could match. Gentleness is off misunderstood for weakness. But good leaders know as its says in Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”
When Teddy Roosevelt said, “Walk softly, and carry a big stick”, I’m sure he meant the big stick was a strong military. But the proverb works for the the follower of Jesus as well. What could be a bigger stick than to know that the power that raised Jesus from the dead now gives life to your mortal body? What are you facing that tempts you to loose your temper, or react in harsh measures? Remember, gentleness is the grace of Christ at work in your spirit.
Paul knew he could conquer nothing without the power of God at work in him. His faith was tested over and over, even to the point of being jailed and beaten. Yet, his teachings were always Christ like. We must remember no matter what we face, we do not face it alone. We have the resurrection power of Jesus within. We have a quiet strength. So let us be still and know that He is with us. Let us be gentle and know that Christ is risen…and so are we!
Grace & Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Eternal Father, giver of all grace, help me to quiet my soul and find the peace and strength of your gentle Spirit within me. Amen. Alleluia!
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