Today in church, we explored the concept of meekness, and how meekness indicates a willingness to yield one's heart to God. I think that society often confuses meekness with weakness (they do rhyme, after all), but meekness is actually a strength.
Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, a beacon of strength, epitomized meekness:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
I've read those verses many times, but hadn't really picked up on the crucial role of meekness until today. The passage gives comfort, but in application, that comfort comes by becoming meek and thus taking His yoke upon us. As we follow the example of Christ, and allow our hearts to be aligned with God's will, we find strength, and our burdens are light.
Another scriptural reference with the same message:
Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. (Book of Mormon, Alma 37:33-34)
Meekness even plays an essential role in the development of charity, which is the crowning character trait:
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:14)
Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. And again, behold I say unto you, that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. . . . and if a man be meek and lowly of heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity. (Book of Mormon, Moroni 7:42-44).
So, as we yield our wills to God, we demonstrate meekness, which can lead to the development of faith, hope, and charity.
. . . by small and simple things are great things brought to pass (Book of Mormon, Alma 37:6)
A much more eloquent discussion of meekness, by Neal A. Maxwell, can be found here.
Thankful thought: Thanks for scriptures!
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