Shaun Groves
My pastor had a lot of good things to say about gentleness yesterday. He pointed out that it’s often accompanied by humility in the bible.
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 11:28-30
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:1-3
…as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13
That made me think about Eva Longoria’s cellulite. And about being naked.
I know she has cellulite because a miserable woman on an airplane a couple years ago gladly pointed it out to me in her People magazine. I didn’t know what to say. I’ve seen myself naked.
People magazine is run largely by women who verbally abuse famous women for profit. And everyday women who would never say they support abuse buy it.
I have to wonder if they’ve seen themselves naked lately. Because it’s impossible to celebrate someone else’s flaws when you’re painfully aware of your own.
Humility and gentleness go together.
Take it all off and go take a long look in the mirror…metaphorically speaking…or not. I’m spending a little time naked this morning in hopes that it’ll get me a little more clothed in compassion, gentleness, and patience.
God knows we need to bundle up a bit more. It’s chilly in some corners of the internet.
Jason says:
Shaun,
Thanks for posting this. Every morning, I pray for humility, gentleness, and wisdom. Lately, I’ve added perseverence to the mix. I find I need to pray for these every day because, in my sinful nature, I want to be sarcastic, proud, and stupid.
Good points.
Jason
Rebecca in e.tx says:
that’s good stuff – very good
Jason says:
“It’s chilly in some corners of the internet.”
Chilly? In some places penguins needs parkas.
Good post Shaun. Very well said.
Lindsay @ Not2Us says:
My pastor preached on gentleness (meekness) yesterday, as well. Perhaps God’s really, really trying to get me thinking on this subject, huh?
Makeda says:
Good post! It is important for us to remember that we are equally as flawed as the people we are so inclined to point our figures at. Thanks for sharing.
darrell a. harris says:
Insightful thoughts well spoken, Shaun.
And although I understand that the sexual guidelines in Leviticus 20 use the euphemism “uncovering the nakedness” of another to refer to sexual intercourse, it seems to me the literal meaning of the phrase also pertains.
How blessed to cover rather than uncover the nakedness and vulnerability of another, and to have one’s own nakedness and vulnerability graciously covered by another, as well as to use wisdom and extreme caution in disclosing our own~
kathy says:
Much.Needed. for this Empress and her new clothes.
Thank you.
Jill @ Two of a Kind says:
What a great message!
Paula Joy says:
My Pastor preached on this yesterday, too!!
Harry says:
Totally agree with this post
Sharon says:
“Gentle” is the word most applied to my Dad at his memorial service. Reading your post, I realized I can’t remember him ever pointing out flaws in another person, ever, in the decades I spent with him. That’s what people saw and intuitively labeled gentleness. Now if I can just draw on Dad’s example and call up those “gentle” genes that must be in me somewhere . . .
Beth says:
My friend used to say, “gentleness is strength under control.” I liked that definition. And I love this post- it made me laugh out loud 🙂