Blessed Are The Spineless

I was pondering the word ‘meek’ the other day. You know, that Christianese term that makes you shift uncomfortably in your seat and conjures up images of bowed nuns?

Pic of girl looking up Who would have thought that fluro would become cool again? And who would’ve thought that country, or alt-country (or whatever you want to call it), could become hip and actually sound so amazing! I don’t say this lightly, but Lauren Thomsen is the kiwi find of the year.The word ‘meek’ is all but archaic in this age of standing up for your rights. If someone cuts you off, give them a hand signal they will never forget. If you get barbeque sauce on your pizza instead of tomato, make a formal complaint. If someone insults you, slander them on Bebo. Don’t let anyone bring you down. Ever. At least, that’s what the world tells us to do.

How can we be meek in this generation where everyone seems to act like America’s Next Top Model? Is the concept of ‘meekness’ even relevant today?

As much as we would like to gloss over the parts of the Bible that refer to meekness, it doesn’t take much foraging to discover how important it is. Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). It’s a grand statement, but maybe we should aspire to this thing.

So what exactly is meekness?

Like a true geek, I opened my trusty dictionary and found two main meanings. The first meaning refers to being “patient, long-suffering or submissive; humble.” The second refers to being “spineless or spiritless; compliant.” Most of us probably think of the second meaning when we hear the word ‘meek’, but somehow I can’t imagine God proclaiming, “Blessed are the spineless, for they shall inherit the earth”.

As always, the life of Jesus provides us with the ultimate definition. Before the crucifixion, people spat in Jesus’ face. People slapped Him. People laughed at Him and told Him to save Himself. Jesus didn’t say anything back. How many of us, in the same position, would have wanted to yell, “Shutchor mouth! I could smite you right now if I wanted to!” (especially us Westies). At the very least, we’d be boiling up inside with indignation at those people who had no idea they were mocking the Son of the Most High God.

But Jesus showed no outward rage. And I don’t think He would have been boiling up inside, either. Why not?

Know who you are in God

The simple answer is that He knew who He was. He knew, beyond doubt, that He was the Son of God. He knew He had all power within Him. He knew that God’s desire was for Him to die. He knew He would save the world by that act. He knew He had the assurance of eternal life and eternal glory. He knew that choosing to die was more powerful than choosing to save Himself.

Jesus knew, at this point in His life, that He was called to be long-suffering, submissive and humble. He was called to be meek.

If you try to be meek without knowing who you are on the inside, you’ll turn into Ned Flanders… a self-imploding ball of Heydiddly niceties.

It wasn’t the right time to chuck tables over, as Jesus had done when He saw the money-changers in the temple. It wasn’t the time to go calling the religious hypocrites a “brood of vipers”. No, in Jesus’ greatest moment on earth, He was called to be meek. And there are moments in our lives when, just like Jesus, we need to be assertive against those who are sinning. But more often than not, we’re called to let things go. Only God can help us to discern the difference.

Wedgie-Shame?

During those times when we know we’re called to be meek, what are we so afraid of? Why do we get that agonising wormy feeling when we know we’re not going to get the last say (especially when arguing with parents)? I know that, personally, I’m scared of losing my dignity. I’m scared of being put to shame. The kind of shame that comes with wedgies. So does God expect us to endure wedgie-shame for his name?

Well, if you look at Jesus on the cross, you’ll discover a crazy thing. Even though Jesus was spat on and mocked, shame could never attach itself to Him. The Bible says that Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus despised shame. He didn’t take shame on Himself. Shame couldn’t touch Him; it slid off Him because He was mighty on the inside. And God promises you that “you will not be put to shame” either (Isaiah 54:4).

Amazingly, we are seated as royal “co-heirs” alongside Jesus (Romans 8:17). Nothing that anyone can say or do to you will ever bring shame upon you unless you give it permission to do so. Nothing. Ever.

It’s only when we get this revelation of who we are in Christ that we can choose to be meek. If we are feeling weak and insecure and unsure if God loves us, we can’t behave meekly because we will be crushed. We will become spineless, spiritless, compliant doormats, just like the second meaning in the dictionary.

If you try to be meek without knowing who you are on the inside, you’ll turn into Ned Flanders. You’ll become a self-imploding ball of Heydiddly niceties. People like Homer Simpson will borrow your TV tray and won’t return it for ten years. Do you remember the episode when Ned finally loses it and ends up in a padded cell? Whoa, Neddy. It’s not pretty.

If you feel small on the inside, allow God to show you who you are in Him. Ask Him to give you a deeper understanding of your position as His beloved child. When you realise how big you are in God, you’ll have the inner strength to be meek, when it’s required, in the face of anything.

Channel your Higher Self and learn who you are in GOD.

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