Sunday, June 20

But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
—Psalm 37:11

From our earliest years we are taught that meekness is a sure sign that someone will take advantage of us. We learn that if we want to get ahead in this world, we need to overcome meekness and garner strength. As we grow we begin to understand the wisdom of this teaching.

We have all experienced the pain of being hurt by others simply because we were weak, had low self-esteem, lacked assertiveness, or acted too compliant or humble. The plethora of self-help books on bookstore shelves are meant to help us overcome our weakness and become self-protective in order that we can engage in healthy human relationships.

So it seems ludicrous to entertain the idea that those who are meek will inherit the land and be happily prosperous. Perhaps we misunderstand meekness. Perhaps meekness is not being "Dora Doormat," but rather the ability to exercise tenderness and gentleness with others because you are secure in the eternal love that heaven has given.

Imagine feeling so safe in that love that gentle words fell from your lips because they were first formed on the lips of God. Imagine feeling so safe in that love that tender actions sprung from your hands because they were first formed in the tender hand of God. Imagine that you could risk being meek because you lived in God’s strength. You would be different, and so would the world.

O God, help me know when to be the tree and when to be the root.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2003.