Be Gentle, Don't Strive

2Timothy 2:24 The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men....

I received this as my scripture for the day a couple of days ago.  I instantly understood what it meant for me.  Someone else may interpret it differently.  

  Through out my day, often I am striving to get my needs met, which usually means competing with others, pushing my way through life, trying succeed, or get resources I need etc.  In our earthly survival mode this is how most of the people and our world works.  However, if we truly are a servant of the Lord, then there is no place for this kind of striving.  Gentleness truly is the way.  After I read this passage and wrote about it in my journal, I then was determined to practise it as I went about my day. 

The first challenge and probably my greatest was the bus.  Usually packed, I am usually only concerned with getting a seat.  But I decided to put gentleness into practise and let go of striving.  My first experience was letting a very tough looking woman go on the bus before me despite the fact I was there first. 

She was hesitant to go in front of me, even though I motioned for her to get on before me.  I smiled at her, and then she smiled and thanked me and looked genuinely surprised and quite touched. 

It was a small act of kindness yet I could see she felt truly loved by someone letting her on ahead of them, and being kind to her.  Who knows how this will impact her.  We had a sweet exchange that left a warm feeling in my heart that stayed with me until now, I can still feel it.  That was worth way more than getting the best seat.  Interestingly, I have noticed that when I am gentle and kind, and put that first, I actually receive a lot of appreciation, as well as many many gifts, way beyond what I would normally get from striving. 

As a servant, friend, and brother and sister of Jesus Christ, I now thoroughly enjoy being a vessel of gentleness and kindness towards myself, and all those I come in contact with.  I seek ways to express the love of Christ in my home, and out into the world.