Beloved in the Lord, we are called to display gentleness.

The interlude between published posts this summer has found me in moments of gain and moments of loss, a new house and a damaging storm, injuries and sickness, welcoming in some friends and saying goodbye to others. All these things and more have continued to refine in me the fruit of God’s Spirit that I started writing about months ago. And now, today, I meditate on the second to the last.

There is no mistake in God’s Word, nor in the order of the words written throughout it. Saving gentleness and self-control for the end (of the long list in Galatians 5:22-23) was fitting. For it is only after we are matured by the Potter’s hand and the trials He allows that we are more fully motivated to cultivate these traits and more fully aware of the true strength displayed through their presence.

Earlier this month, I had another chance to attend the famous Iowa State Fair. It has become our tradition later in the day of attendance to visit the horse barn, walk the stall aisles, and rub the noses of whichever horses are in the mood for it.

My favorites are the huge draft horses like the one pictured above (photo credit: Denise Sasse). They are so strong, so powerful. But when properly cared for, trained, and harnessed, they are so gentle. It is an awe-inspiring thing to stand near one of those horses and have it tower over me (a taller-than-avergage woman) and look down into my eyes with shiny, calm eyes of its own while I stroke the side of its massive head. So still, so peaceful. If spooked, it could rear back and kick forward and injure or even kill me. But generally speaking, it has no intent to harm. And that strength, when pulling a wagon or plow, can be used to complete amazing feats of helpful labor.

With our own physical stength, we have the ability to wound or kill — or to help and heal. With our own tongues, we have the ability to defame, degrade, destroy — or to instill, enlighten, uplift. We have been given strength and ability by God to do each day. And we have a choice in how we will do.

In out fallen nature, left to our own devices, we will always be more of the reckless, unpredictable, untrainable horse when the stuff of life rushes in to meet us. But when we follow Jesus and dwell in His presence more consistently, the harness and bridle of trials will calm us so that we stand more peacefully and treat others with more of His goodness while the next wave rises up. And His strength will shine though when we act more like Him and react less wildly.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, choose the more gentle response or manner of delivery when presented the option. Be who you are. Be His gentleness in this world.