Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Saturday, January 7, 2012

Meekness

google image
My spiritual word this year is Meekness.  One of the fruits of the Spirit along with a quality mentioned in the Beatitudes will be my focus this year.  This is a very big word for God to place on my heart.  I have no clue where this will lead this year, but He has said it and I am following.  As I have started my research on meekness, I am soberly aware that this is a fruit of the Spirit I am not walking in.  The Lord's idea of meekness and our society's understanding of meekness are at extreme opposite ends.  The Lord says that the meek will inherit the earth, vastly different from our thoughts of people who are meek.  Kay Arthur confirmed this word to me through her book.  The Holy Spirit quickened it to my spirit.


Does meekness connect to "spunk"?  I am starting to see the two are meant to be products of the other.  True meekness brings a "childlike" faith of releasing things to a Sovereign God, which allows our outward self to skip in "childlike" faith.  Meekness brings confidence in God's plans and releases worry, frustation, disobedience and striving...once again allowing us to embrace the "spunkiness" of life.

My journey into meekness has only began...below is the starting line.  Since it is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit, I am praying the Holy Spirit will bring meekness and the understanding of meekness into my life this year.



  • Moses was meek - Numbers 12:3 "Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth."
  • Zeph. 2:3 - "Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger."  
  • Is. 29:19 - "The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel."  (notice the meek will obtain fresh joy!!!) 
  • Ps. 37:11 - "But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace."


Surely our understanding of this remarkable characteristic must be askew! Bible commentators generally agree that modern man, living in our Western, Judeo-Christian cultures, lacks this godly attribute. Meekness, being a fruit of the Spirit, is an attribute of God Almighty Himself and important to our being in His image and a true witness. Indeed, this characteristic will largely determine how much peace and contentment are in our lives and how well we do during trials.

Meekness is what results when one's spiritual knowledge, understanding and passions are in right balance.


This is very important regarding trials because meekness is the opposite of self-will toward God and of ill-will toward men. In his commentary on Matthew 5:5, Matthew Henry writes, "The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to his word and to his rod, who follow His directions, and comply with His designs, and are gentle towards all men" (p. 1629).
Meekness is the fruit of God by His Spirit working in us. Godly sorrow softens our stiff-necked rebellion in our hearts so that we are made receptive to the workings of the Creator to produce His image in us. Therefore meekness, along with the qualities already mentioned, also includes our becoming pliable, malleable, submissive and teachable. A New Testament term for this condition might be "childlike."

This is not a virtue to ignore because carnal men consider it weakness. It may appear to them as weakness, but the spiritual reality is that it is great strength, an attribute of Almighty God and a fruit of His Spirit we greatly need.

Read more: http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/PERSONAL/k/237/The-Fruit-of-Spirit-Meekness.htm#ixzz1inzRr35l

This year will be exciting to see what God does in my life in the area of meekness.

22 Joining in with more words:

Debbie said...

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY you spunky (older) blogger you!

Second? I love your spiritual word. It was one of the first Biblical Greek words that I learned when I started in depth study.

My favorite (Vines) definition pretty much nails it:

An internal grace of the soul exercised chiefly towards God that recognizes that God, and His dealings, are always good.

Pretty good, huh?

Jesus Christ was the picture of meekness. He was willing both to turn over tables and silently accept the cross. You are so right about perfect balance.

(And can I also add that at first I read that cartoon to say, "pathetic"? ha!)

Alice said...

That is a great goal. I'll be joining in:)

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

God sent me directly to your blog this morning, and He makes no mistakes! The timing is perfect - and I love Debbie's (Vines') definition. I've got a challenge ahead of me today that requires that "internal grace of the soul..." Thank you for sharing!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I remember when I first discovered that being meek was not being weak. It sounds so mild and milk toast in today's culture, when it's just the opposite! It takes great strength of purpose and heart, and it will be fun to see where this leads you in the days ahead.

xo

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY???? Today???

If so, give yourself a huge hug from me, in fact, give yourself a huge hug even if it isn't your birthday!! :)

Sandy said...

Happy, happy, happy birthday, Janette! It is today or did I already miss it?
I believe most people think of weakness when they hear the word meekness but it isn't so, in fact, as Sonja said already, it's the opposite. To be willing to be submitted to and directed by God takes strength. You have a great word for the year.
xo

Anonymous said...

Janette,
Happy, Happy Birthday!
Your post is beautiful. And a wonderful teaching. Fresh joy, abundant peace. Wonderful.
I'm going back to read the post again.

Sue said...

Meekness is what results when one's spiritual knowledge, understanding and passions are in right balance. WoW janette, I want to have this ingrained into my spirit man! It really is all about balance, isn't it janette? I am walking away with this lesson today, Remember I asked you to take me on this journey with you, well here I am and I am not leaving.
Love,
Sue

camp and cottage living said...

Oh, I for one need a study on meekness. Moses is such a great example for us to follow. No one could ever accuse him of being a weak man. But his strength was from the Lord, not of himself.
Thanks for sharing your study, Janette.

Debbie said...

What a great word! I love it. We have the perfect example of meekness in our Lord! His willingness to do what He was sent here to do and just for us...Looking forward to hearing all you learn about this as we go through this year. HUGS!

Christine said...

I love how you choose a word for the year. What a hard but soft word.
Hard, because it can go very deep into the Word.
Soft, because the word fits you.

It will be fun to watch you grow into your word, Meek.

Happy Birthday!

Sally said...

Birthday greetings. Hope your special day was full of joy and the thrill of a life well lived. I see the fruits of the spirit as a guide to measure our spiritual growth against. It is a good excercise in keeping me humble.

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

It's your birthday? Well, Happy Birthday!

Meek and spunky! That is quite the combination. I believe 2012 will be an intersting journey of spiritual discovery. And we have already taken the first steps...

Maryann said...

Birthday..today? Happy Birthday.
I have to agree that meekness is a foreign concept in todays world...something to be avoided.
But I like other have said to be submitted to and directed by God is not weakness. I also like the thought of being pliable. Looking forward to where this leads you

Vickie said...

Janette - love this post about meekness. Never thought about those two words going together, but I think they DO! I could stand some meekness in my own life...

I wanted to add that I really appreciate your prayers for Kristen and her surgery. She went home today, and is healing well. She's going to have speech therapy and we're still waiting on the path report, but at this moment all is well, and we are all trusting the Lord on the rest. Have a wonderful week being meekily spunky!

Vee said...

Wow. What a word! You are so right that we don't have much of a grasp on the true meaning of it. I think "milquetoast" when meek comes to mind. Obviously, that's incorrect. I will be reading along as you discuss this word more. I really am curious.

Crickit said...

What a great word to start the year off with! I think we can all learn from the "meek".

Thank you for bringing this to mind today... I really needed it! :)

Kristin said...

It's like the old saying goes: Go Meek or Go Home!

Okay maybe not, but I love this post. Something I am working on as well!

no spring chicken said...

The cartoon had me. You reeled me in, and God speaks.

True words and a true challenge. Once again, I'm with you (and God) for this journey. I've missed you Janette but I'm glad to be back!

Blessings, Debbie

Karen said...

Happy, happy birthday! A wonderful post--I enjoyed it very much. ~Karen

Always Nesting said...

Great post full of goodness to chew on. In the world, meekness can be considered a bad thing yet in our Christian life it is a good thing. You are so right about releasing and just having confidence in God's plans without worry or second guessing. I'm the worst about worrying and that's something I need to do daily - give it all to God.

Tanna said...

Wonderful post, Janette. LOVE the way you have gone in depth to consider the true meaning. I appreciate your study and your sharing with the rest of us. blessings ~ tanna

Related Posts with Thumbnails