- 1 Timothy 3:2-7 (NKJV) A bishop then must be…but gentle…
Sometime ago I had an appointment with a woman that touched me deeply. Without betraying any confidences I can only say that this dear sister-in-Christ shared a sad life-story of betrayal, abuse and neglect. As I sat there listening that day the question, “Why?” kept going through my mind.
Why do people in power abuse those they are called to serve? Why are there bullies? Why are thugs (at all levels of society)? Why do people get what they want at the expense of others? Why all this pain, suffering, and sorrow?
After our interview had ended and I had escorted my visitor to the door, I went back to my office and took a moment to recommit my life to being a gentle-man. I took a moment to look at the pictures of my wife that I have in my office and recommitted myself to never hurting and betraying her (and so many others that count on me).
The man or woman who lives by the rule of power does what they do because they can; the gentle person does what they do because they care. There is a world of difference. The first world is full of selfishness, coercion and sorrow; the latter: serving, caring and true success.
May we hold all the people in our care like this.
The gentle person, when faced with a relational difficulties, does not resort to, “Because I said so.” The gentle person doesn’t solves problems or obtain what they want simply by force. For the gentle person, the issue is not just getting the job done; it is getting the job done in a caring and mutually beneficiary way.
For the gentle person, their position, strength and advantages are gifts given by God to serve not exploit.
Being gentle is not being weak; it is tempering your strength with love.
Bottom line, being gentle is being Christ-like and there is no higher calling than that.
The ONE THING today is: Be gentle, there’s enough pain in this world without you adding to the overflowing cup.
The ONE THING 