I was reminded last night that you can do all the right things and a situation still might not work out the way you had hoped. Some times in life there will be conflict. Sometimes you will be the cause of it and sometimes you will be "target" of it. Either way miscommunication, selfishness and harsh words will be spoken.
I used to think there was power in always being right. Being fast and clever with words. The one that could outsmart the other had the control. the one that could confuse their appoint and shut them down wins and therefor has the power. Then I met Jesus. Over the last 20 years of my life he has been showing me where the true power lies. I have been slow to get it.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth"(Matt. 5:5)Wow! the whole earth, really? how can that happen? How in the world could a bunch of meek people get any thing real done? My pastor once gave the definition of meekness as "power under control". Whoa! I have pondered and thought on that from the time I 1st heard it. Being meek, as our Lord Jesus was, does not mean we are tossed from stem to Stern in life. It mean the exact opposite. Those who learn to gain self control of their mouth have true power, wisdom. And what happens when a meek person does mess up or say the wrong thing? The three most powerful words in all the world, words that could stop wars, heal marriages, refresh friendships..."I am sorry".
I am sorry is not just healing for the one hearing it. It heals the one saying it. We are told by Jesus to abide in Him. The only way to abide in Him is to stay humble, to strive against the selfish flesh that wants it's own way and put others first. That is what "I am sorry" does. To say those three words is to take responsibility for what you have done and then want to correct it.
If you say those three words the hearer may not always receive it. We have to be OK with that. we can not control how the other person takes your "meekness", but there is still power in the words. they heal the wrong you have done before God so that you can have right relationship with Him. That is pretty powerful for three little words. " The power of life and death is in the tongue" (prvb:18:21) Your eternal life and death. that is a big deal.
I want to be meek. Not because i want power or to inherit the earth, but because it is a much more peaceful way to live. The Lord has been teaching me that I can " always be right" as long as the "rightness" i am striving for is right standing before God. Winning a war of words against a loved one or hurting your witness out in the world are not power. Healing...being humble and saying I am sorry. Now that is divine power!
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