Does the world value gentleness? Perhaps in some circles it is valued. We value gentleness in those who attend the sick. Yet, generally, gentleness is in short supply. We read and hear the stories. Where and when the world needs gentleness, it gets, instead, harsh judgement. We think of gentleness as the antithesis of strength.
Perhaps we need to revisit what it means to be God’s gentle people. Gentleness should grow out of our awareness that we all falter at times. We need to be gentle with ourselves – and then extend that gentleness to those around us. Gentleness emerges out of our awareness that we and the world are God’s beloved. “God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
In Galatians it says that kindness is a gift of the Spirit. If we look, we can see kindness all around us. There are kind people who might never recognize their gift of kindness as a sign of God’s presence with them. Maybe, in the church, we need to reclaim this gift, seek this gift. How would it change the world’s perception of Christianity if people’s encounters with Christians and with the church were marked by kindness?
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategoriesArchives |
Proudly powered by Weebly