“Learn from me, for I (Jesus) am gentle and humble in heart.” Matt. 11:29
Lord Jesus, I wish gentleness and humility could be learned in a weekend online crash-course, or that somebody would create a pill that burned up all “snark,” rigid, impatient graceless-cells. But becoming like you involves walking and communing with you, and learning from you in the school of mercy and grace.
There’s no “diploma,” apprenticeship, internship, or graduation of greater value and eternal significance than becoming like you, Jesus. It’s, hallelujah, our destiny and your delight. In what arenas of life do I crave greater humility and gentleness?
- Gentle me in my primary and precious relationships—in my marriage, parenting, grand-parenting, and in my friendships. To get irritated is to be human; but to be self-aware enough to own it, repent, and repair is a work of your Spirit.
- Gentle me when things just don’t work out—when good plans end up in the trash bin. Keep me flexible and trusting you are “ordering my steps” even when I want to be on a different path at a different pace.
- Gentle me when I get fair and unfair criticism. In fact, free to me welcome feedback and reproof. “To hate correction is stupid” (Prov.12:1). Pride and defensiveness sabotage intimacy as surely as bees make honey and bears eat it.
- Gentle me when I forget names and where I put stuff, and when traffic is crazy and the fish aren’t biting—and when the mirror and calendar are telling me I’m closer to heaven every day. That’s actually a good thing—a glorious reality that gives me hope and joy.
Jesus, thank you for your grace, gentleness, and sovereignty And thank you for friends who make growing in grace a shared journey, a mutual encouragement-fest, and a life of joyful hope. So Very Amen.