There are times when silence is golden and times when it’s actually annoying. When I’m making personal preparations to go somewhere (because I don’t want to look like I just crawled out from under a rock), I listen to a Christian speaker or music. It gives me something to think about as I overhaul my face and hair. It takes me longer to paint the barn and tidy up the haystack than it did when I was 22. Anyway, the other day, I was listening to an a cappella bluegrass arrangement by Bob Lovett and Red Letter Edition that really grabbed my attention.
The song, “Less of Me,” written and recorded by Glen Campbell in 1967, is a great two-minute sermon of downright truth. Partial lyrics are: “Let me be a little kinder, let me be a little blinder to the faults of those about me. Let me praise a little more. Let me be when I am weary, just a little bit more cheery. Think a little more of others and a little less of me. Let me be a little braver when temptation bids me waver. Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be. Let me be a little meeker with the brother who is weaker. Let me think more of my neighbor and a little less of me.” I’m no psychologist, but I’m thinking if everyone would live by this philosophy we could solve half of the world’s problems.
The prevalent “What about me?” syndrome should be treated like a gunnysack full of rattlesnakes. Run from it as fast as your legs can carry you! John the Baptist was speaking of Jesus when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 NKJV). Magnifying ourselves is a miserable way to live because it’s flat-out selfishness and that will never bring satisfaction or happiness.
Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 MEV). Believers want to be like Jesus, but I’m not sure droves of us are interested in seeking a lifestyle of meekness. The word itself is generally misunderstood. Meekness is not weakness, it’s a strength. Jesus is the greatest person who ever lived on earth and He exemplified meekness. A weak person can’t do anything, but a meek person can do something (like spew insults), but chooses to refrain from doing so. Meekness is power under self-control.
If Christ followers are going to be a people after God’s own heart, we must be meeker with those who are weaker. Thinking less of ourselves and putting into practice patient endurance of offenses and self-restraint isn’t an easy pill to swallow. Displaying a gentle, humble, and merciful attitude toward others doesn‘t always come naturally. To be meek and lowly in heart is a decision to depend on Jesus to help us live it out. It’s also a decision to be submissive and obedient to God, which includes loving others as Jesus has loved us. (Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.)
Few people would stand in line to buy a book entitled, “How to be Meek.” Yet Jesus tells us to learn from Him regarding this underrated attribute. Actually, we already own the Best Book on meekness. “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11 NLT). It’s not a good idea to speed-read the verses where Jesus tells us how to live our lives.
The Key: Think less of yourself, run from snakes, and do more for others for Jesus‘ sake.