There's something essential in the love chapter -- 1 Corinthians 13 -- that I've never heard discussed. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul explains with detailed clarity what love is, along with what it is not. Upon recently reading the chapter, I was pulled in a new and different way. I made a list of love's attributes according to the chapter, and for the first time, I found something amazing. A commonality in the attributes is maintaining and cultivating the quality of meekness. The roots of meekness are love.
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Love - a verb, a choice, an action. Not an emotion.
Verse 4 says love suffers long, or is patient. Also, love doesn't parade itself. It's not boastful, or "puffed up." Neither is meekness.
Verse 5 says love is not easily angered or provoked to anger. Then, verse 7 picks up the thread again -- love "bears all things" and "endures all things." The word meek is nowhere in 1 Corinthians 13, but its attributes cover most of the verses.
Being meek is not being weak.
It's not being a doormat, although meekness looks as such from a world view. The godly attribute of being meek is embedded throughout Scripture. In Genesis, the lack of Joseph's meekness bragged on his dreams, but his maturity in Egypt held meekness and turned the eyes of the Egyptian leaders, ultimately saving his family, the sons of Israel. The meekness of Daniel is especially admiring. He didn't boast of his visions or dreams; he didn't seek vengeance for being thrown in a den. His meekness was noticed by kings and led to connections with heavenly angels.
And Jesus, standing amidst Judah's leaders as they mocked and sneered, he exemplified meekness. In Matthew 5:5, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who are meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
And its not because meek people even desire to rule or conquer the world, or own anything for that matter. They want to love.
Love takes work and sweat. Not emotion.
When our meek qualities are tested, it's truly an exposure of how rooted our love is.
Psalm 37:11 also makes a promise: "But the meek shall inherit the earth, / And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Abundance of peace could be heaven, but most likely, that abundance happens here in this chaotic, suppressing world. We can find and see this peace in Joseph, Daniel, and Jesus. They loved God, and the love overflowed to others. They were made strong enough to be meek because they were strong enough to love. They were rooted in love, and they were willing to work and sweat to strengthen love. When our meek qualities are tested, it's truly an exposure of how rooted our love is.
Love never fails. So if something in our lives fails, something's missing, and walking in meekness is a good place to search.