“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:5 NIV
Why do I need the reminder to “let my gentleness be evident”? I don’t know about you but when I stress, I try to control things. I work to make things to the way I think it should be. When I feel that I am in a battle, I push everyone out, put up my walls and am prepared to fight.
When I am stressed, gentle is the last thing that I am to those around me.
The original Greek word used for gentleness in the verse above describes the heart of someone who will let God fight his battles for Him. It describes a person who has let go of trying to control the situation and allowed God to do what He needs to.
This is where having a relationship with Jesus changes things. It’s where trusting Him impacts how you live because He will never ask you to be something that He isn’t already.
Jesus IS near.
Jesus says that He is so close that it’s like you’re yoked up with Him. Shoulder to shoulder, walking the same way, with Him bearing the load and directing the path.
He IS gentle.
Jesus showed us what this kind of gentleness looks like. He focused on His relationship with His Father and only did what God directed Him to. He did not bend to peer pressure, comparison or even try to fit in with anyone other than His Father. He didn’t try to control the situations or people. He focused on being faithful to the part He was given to do and allowed God to work out the rest.
Jesus lived yoked and yielded long before He offered it to His disciples.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29 NIV
He leads gently so that you can live gently.
Gentle is not weak it is focused trust as well as a deep knowing of who you are and whose you are.
My friend, may you begin to learn to live in the power of leading a gentle life by being yoked and yielded to the gentle Savior today.
