Strong

Reading today in II Corinthians 10-11 I was struck by the incredible contrast between our view of strength and God's....between what success looks like to us and God...between the "followable" people of the world...and the truly followable.

It all began to hit me when I pondered Paul's words in II Corinthians 10:1 - "I entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ - I who am humble when face to face with you....I beg you"

And then the similarly zoned words began to stack up: Paul, describing his style uses these expressions: "weak, speech of no account, do not boast, do not commend myself, sincere, pure (in) devotion, unskilled in speaking, humble, serving, too weak - and perhaps you can spot more. And his point of departure to living at peace with this style, this description of himself in actuality, is Jesus Himself...whose meekness and gentleness sets the primary example.

Meek people are the opposite of pushy, irritated, mad, loud, centered-on-self people. Gentle people are soft, tender, listening, emoting with, safe, even playful people.

And that is our model..the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

So, how do we get there...just a bit more today?

A few ideas...

1. Take this blog focus as a cue from the Lord and as you need to, talk out whatever has been in your life recently that is in the wrong direction. Ask forgiveness and tell Jesus that you want to be more like Him. (The forgiveness tends to run very deep when we actually go to a person we have been harsh with and ask for forgiveness.)

2. And if anger, and wrong words, and selfishness surface in the hours just ahead, (and they can so unexpectedly), repent quickly and get back on the Jesus' track of gentle attitude and self-control.

3. Celebrate Christ characteristics wherever you spot them. Prize the gentle...and commend the weak.

4. Serve...do it with thought and purpose and love.

It really is an upsidedown kingdom (from that of the world)
but...this is truly the Jesus model.

There will be lots of time to "rule and reign with Him"
...that comes later
and forever.

Selah.

David