If I’ve learned anything at all from Christ Jesus, it is the way of gentleness. It was never my preaching or singing that would make me great. The Psalm says it is His gentleness that makes me great. (Psalm 18:35)

 

Throughout my walk through new seasons in the Christian life whether Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, or the charismatic arenas is needed His gentleness today. There is not one denomination that doesn’t need to learn better this character trait of Christ. It is after all a fruit of the Spirit.

 

I simply cannot push my knowledge or ways onto others. Even the gifts of the Spirit are under self-control, very often, and I must discern well my audience and hearts so that, like Paul, I can be all things to all people that I may win some. I must lean entirely on the Holy Spirit for help.

 

The abused soul timid in my rooms does not need me to come at them like a bull in a china cabinet. She, or he, needs gentleness.

 

I’ve always been an altar girl. I love worshiping at the altar. It has mostly been the soft whispers of Jesus that drew me there. The gentle melodies of His holiness and kind hand. I’ve often found much of man in the loud and boisterous noise that screams, “Look at me.”

 

Gentleness…Makes…Me…Great…

 

The hammering home of sinful ways and the lightning strikes opposing wickedness are certainly warranted at times. I admit I have a heavy hammer when it comes to abuse in the church. Yet, I find many sheep can be brought home gently, even from a place of sin.

 

It would do us well to study how Christ handled people instead of just memorizing scriptures. Take a few steps higher and just watch how He works.

 

You’ll find Him writing in the sand as a woman is brought to trial by the judge and jury of mankind. You’ll find a gentle Savior offering Peter prayers after his failures. Likewise, you’ll watch most often Him gently restore others to Himself.

 

How many of us as little children wept over the mere gaze of a disappointed parent? The same goes for those under the weighted gaze of Abba Father, tenderly peering into the sin-stained heart of men.

 

Yet, I find it interesting, He spares little in the scriptures when it comes to those referred to as “White washed tombs.”

 

He often flipped over tables at religious hypocrisy that would often prefer to call a day holy while forbidding healing of those He was sent for. Is He not the very Master of every day?

 

To those who lack gentleness will be the heart that can’t and won’t touch the lepers. You’ll find them preaching with heavy gavels, but not mending and tending hearts in need. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance.

 

Even when praying in the Spirit, I gauge my rooms to be sure I don’t push people away but gently draw them in so that the gifts of God are not clanging cymbals, but alluring love sounds from Heaven.

 

Do I believe in fierce fighting at times? Oh yes. However, I find the fight against the religious of our day to be where righteous anger broods. To the lame and the left behind, I see a gentle Savior leading them to wholeness and purpose. These are the ones that by the world’s standards are labeled the most “unlikely” to do great things.

 

To Christ, they are exactly who He is looking for. For they are very often the ones who carry the gentleness needed for wounded and marred souls. Where much has been forgiven, is often much more love for Christ and others.

 

When we are in a position of choosing our responses, may we learn to choose His gentleness that makes us great.