Blessed are the meek

So imagine you are in a room with 80 elementary school kids.  You are dressed as a knight along with a few of your summer camp co-workers.  You are teaching about the third Beatitude…blessed are the meek.  You begin your dialogue – as the not-so-meek knight – every time un-meek statements come out of your mouth, all those 80 campers plus the other 12 counselors in the room make the loudest “buzz” sound possible! This continues on for a few more minutes as my wonderful, brilliant and amazing monologue keeps being interrupted every few words.  Getting more and more frustrated I finally look to the crowd and realize the error of my words. My final line as I run from the stage…”Eek!  I am not meek!”

There is really nothing more humbling than teaching kids…they are brutally honest!  It only took one time for the counselors to “buzz” me before the kids caught on to their task (and continued for the rest of the day to catch me in my boasting).  Sometimes I think it would be nice to have that reminder, though a gentler version, when my words or actions are not so meek.

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.
That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”

I think there is a misunderstanding when it comes to the word meek.  It is defined as being quiet or gentle.  And I think we often associate meekness with someone who is easily imposed upon or submissive.  But, meekness is not weakness.  Meekness is having controlled strength and humility, being willing to put others needs before our own. 

This week we look at this third Beatitude and what Jesus meant when he said, “blessed are the meek.”  It is a great reminder of the posture we are to have as followers of Jesus.  See you Sunday…oh, and you can leave your buzzers at home!

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.