When I think of the meek and blessed life, I think of Coach Tony Dungy who led the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl in 2007. I still enjoy watching Coach Dungy give his commentaries on Sunday nights before the big game on NBC. His autobiography,
Quiet Strength, describes his life and serves as a great commentary on
Matthew 5:5. Let those words settle in your mind; not loud, boisterous, obnoxious strength, but quiet strength. Again, the idea here is strength under control. Dungy has inherited much in his life as a meek Christ-follower, and it is not in terms of money or championships, but in terms of peace. I read the account of his son's suicide, and it broke my heart. Jamie Dungy took his life as an 18 year-old on December 22, 2005. The way Dungy and his wife responded and the love poured out on them leads one to conclude he is indeed blessed. He writes on page 257, "I had counseled so many players and others throughout the years, and now it was time to follow my own advice. These were certainly tough times, but our family couldn't quit living just because times were tough. Lauren and I knew our only option was to trust God and let Him lead us through the pain. Even though we didn't understand why Jamie had taken his life, our job was to persevere and continue to follow the Lord no matter what."
To be meek, to have strength harnessed and under control, to not think of self at all—these great feats are not hard; they are impossible! The carnal, natural man could never live on such a high and holy plane. It is only by the power of Jesus Christ living inside us by His Holy Spirit that we can live this blessed life.
When you and I become poor in spirit and mourn over our sin, Jesus begins this lifelong process of conforming us to meekness. Has there ever been a time when you humbled yourself before God, asked for His forgiveness, and committed your life to Christ? If not, then I invite you to do this today. As God speaks to you and draws you into a relationship with Himself, come to Him, repent of your sins, believe in Him, and be saved.
For those who know the Lord, how can you live in meekness in such a way that you will be blessed and inherit the earth? It is a daily endeavor. Paul tells us that we have to die to self daily (
1 Corinthians 15:31). We must daily be filled with the Spirit of God if we are to live the life Jesus describes in the Beatitudes.
When temptation, adversity, and difficulty strike, we have a choice: we can lean into Jesus and take our burdens to Him, or we can absorb them, cradle them, worry, become anxious, and quench and grieve the Spirit of God. Leaning into Jesus makes one humble, meek, with strength under control, settled, and peaceful. Leaning away from Jesus makes one strong willed, selfish, and restless.
Today I invite you to commit to Christ, either for the first time or in renewal of your commitment to our Lord. Ask Him to help you to be meek.
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