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Apply yourself gently
'God blesses those who are humble [gentle] ...' Matthew 5:5
Who knew a gentle old man with a weakness for bonsai trees could be such a powerhouse? In cheesy 80's teen-flick, 'The Karate Kid', Mr. Miyagi is just that. His mild-mannered and meek disposition sets him apart from his rival karate instructor, who preaches success at all costs: no pain, no gain.
Yet it's the tender, 'tread lightly' approach that wins the day in the film, proving that 'gentleness' and 'wimp' are not the same thing.
Jesus said, 'Blessed are the meek [gentle], for they shall inherit the earth' (Matthew 5:5 KJV). Notice, the gentle don't strive, manipulate or compete like others, yet they inherit everything.
When you 'inherit' something you don't have to strive for it, you receive it because you're loved, valued, and part of the family.
Gentleness is part of the love family. It doesn't preach 'win at all costs'. It doesn't elbow its way to the top. It doesn't parade itself like a carnival float through town screaming, 'Look at me! Look at me!' It does what it says on the tin; applies itself gently.
If you look before wading in with your Doc Martens, you're applying yourself gently. If you listen before spouting off, 'What you should do is ...', you're applying yourself gently. If you encourage rather than point out failure; you apply yourself gently. Apply yourself gently: in this tough old world, it's a reminder of how God is gentle with us.
written by Bob Gass
'God blesses those who are humble [gentle] ...' Matthew 5:5
Who knew a gentle old man with a weakness for bonsai trees could be such a powerhouse? In cheesy 80's teen-flick, 'The Karate Kid', Mr. Miyagi is just that. His mild-mannered and meek disposition sets him apart from his rival karate instructor, who preaches success at all costs: no pain, no gain.
Yet it's the tender, 'tread lightly' approach that wins the day in the film, proving that 'gentleness' and 'wimp' are not the same thing.
Jesus said, 'Blessed are the meek [gentle], for they shall inherit the earth' (Matthew 5:5 KJV). Notice, the gentle don't strive, manipulate or compete like others, yet they inherit everything.
When you 'inherit' something you don't have to strive for it, you receive it because you're loved, valued, and part of the family.
Gentleness is part of the love family. It doesn't preach 'win at all costs'. It doesn't elbow its way to the top. It doesn't parade itself like a carnival float through town screaming, 'Look at me! Look at me!' It does what it says on the tin; applies itself gently.
If you look before wading in with your Doc Martens, you're applying yourself gently. If you listen before spouting off, 'What you should do is ...', you're applying yourself gently. If you encourage rather than point out failure; you apply yourself gently. Apply yourself gently: in this tough old world, it's a reminder of how God is gentle with us.
written by Bob Gass
