Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
I have recently begun a Bible study entitledHomeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spiritby Teri Maxwell. I have completed one chapter and am thoroughly under conviction. I cannot say that it is Mrs. Maxwell who is convicting me, because it isn’t. The Holy Spirit is the One who began this construction work, and it began long before I ever visited the Maxwell’s website, much less cracked their book open. How do I know? Well, because it was the Holy Spirit that led me to search for biblical help on this issue in the beginning, and it is the Bible verses I’ve been reading that are now hammering away on me.
I would need help with meekness even if I didn’t homeschool. I’m naturally loud and determined (that’s a fancy word for “strong willed”). I am that way as a wife, mother and friend. Being a homeschooling mom, however, makes this lack of meekness very obvious. Homeschooling is the fire that brings up this dross in my life, just like a fire does to gold or silver (not that I am saying I am either of those!). Being with my children day in and day out – 24/7 – and thereby trying to meet their needs constantly, highlights spiritual weaknesses that I might otherwise miss. I am hoping that by not only doing this study on my own, but also by journaling it here, I might further impress these truths upon my own heart. I hope you don’t mind walking this road with me. I am calling this my “Meekness Project”, and believe me, it will never end. Since I am robed in this thing we call “flesh”, I will battle with this for the rest of my life. However, I hope that through this journey I can become more aware of my failings and make the necessary corrections that much faster.
One thing I noticed while searching for verses on meekness was the definition. The Greek definition is equal to gentleness; humble. I often hear preachers say it means “power in restraint” and that makes sense to me. For instance, a Pastor exercises meekness when, after being insulted or criticized to his face by a church member, he refuses to go to the pulpit and tell his side of things and have the person voted out of the church. He could use his power to do this, or to try to do it, but it probably isn’t the wise way to handle the situation. Meekness – the act of restraining himself, and preaching the message from the Lord, is the best way. Likewise, in my daily life, I can re-act to situations by getting angry, yelling, enforcing some kind of punishment on my children just because they spilled their milk at breakfast, or I can take a deep breath, say “It’s okay, just be careful next time.” and clean it up. One method upsets everyone – making me angry, and they, tearful, the other just deals with the problem keeping all of our hearts intact. And that, my dear, kind, friend-who-won’t-cast-judgment-on-me, is what I’m dealing with. Fighting that desire to be un-meek (is that a word?) and loud in my daily life. I do not like the strife that the un-meek spirit gives me, but I cannot be meek without supernatural help.
In doing my reading on meekness in God’s Word, I found this verse to be interesting:
Col. 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering,
We, as children of God, are to “put on” meekness. It is a choice that I must make. Meekness is famously known as part of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit, listed in Gal. 5:22-23. As a youngster, I often confused the “fruit of the Spirit” as something we just are once we are saved. You know, others could just automatically start seeing these traits in believers, once they became believers. I have learned that is not so, Paul tells us in this verse that these traits, some of which are listed in Galatians, are choices we make.
I’ve had men and ladies alike confront me in very inappropriate ways in public. I’ve been criticized, judged and given advice I didn’t seek when I was least prepared for such words. Yet, by the grace of God, I responded as meekly as I could. I made the decision to respond rightly. Yet, sadly, when I’m around those who mean the most to me, my own family, I do not often choose the meek response. I want to change this.
The last question in chapter one is “List five of your meek and quiet spirit robbers…” It seems that some of my friends think I am the one who “has it all together all the time. ” I don’t know how in the world they came to such a conclusion, since (a) they know me for heaven’s sake, and (b) I am painfully transparent on this blog. But, for whatever reason, they have come to believe this false notion. I am here to be real and nothing but real. Therefore, I am listing my five “meek and quiet spirit robbers” here.
- 1. Getting up too late.
- This has been a weakness since December, when I became so ill. I am now trying to break this habit, although doing so will absolutely tear my heart out. (Goodbye extra two hours of sleep!)
- 2. Being disorganized.
- While I am in no way an OCD, I do tend to stress about organization. As a homeschooling mom with four children and one on the way, my thought process is “Can you ever be too organized?” My conclusion? No. I want to be balanced: I want to be organized, but not allow disorganization to steal my meek and quiet spirit….when I get one, that is.
- 3. Constant interruptions.
- I homeschool. I have a toddler – and a baby coming! Interruptions happen so frequently that I expect them. So, technically, is that an interruption? Oh, never mind. Anyway, the point is that I don’t stop and think, I just re-act. This can cause high blood pressure when allowed to go on for days, and…okay, let’s be real: for years!
- 4. The bad attitude of those around me.
- We aren’t a perfect family. We all have our bad days, and soon, we’ll be able to be on a rotating schedule! That’s right, we’ll have one person to have a bad day for each day of the week! I cannot control the attitudes of others, only my own. I am going to have to seek the Lord’s help as I put up with the irritations that others in my family feel, as well as those I feel. Wow…that’s going to be hard.
- 5. My own impatience with others.
- I have my own expectations that I would like others to meet and, when they aren’t met, I can get grouchy. That’s bad.
As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. (sweating) I’m not looking forward to making any of these changes. It will be painful to cut out that which I’m in the habit of doing easily, and begin doing that which I would like to just forget. To be honest, I’d rather do Denise Austin’s Sizzler workout three times a day than attempt this “spiritual workout”. I’m so thankful that He will empower me to do better through His word and prayer. I’m comforted by 2 Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
You see, my weakness is meekness! It is one of my many infirmities, but with Christ, I will have the grace I need to keep pressing onward and see improvement during this time of spiritual construction.
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