THE GENTLE SHEPHERD
Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love.
Jesus is the ultimate role model of gentleness, he was humble and caring with people yet he would opt to suffer willingly rather than to retaliate against anger and fury.
Being gentle demands a significant amount of self-control. It involves patience, concentration, and maintaining inner peace. While some individuals possess this trait naturally, others have to work hard to achieve it. It’s important to note that being gentle doesn’t equate to weakness; a strong person can be gentle even if their outward appearance suggests otherwise.
Have you ever witnessed a child having a temper tantrum? Our first instinct is often to react and yell at them to stop, testing our self-control. Instead, take a deep breath and remain calm. Approach the child with a soothing gentleness that will eventually calm them. This same act of gentleness works on animals as well. Do you yell at your horse when it’s acting up or your dog when it’s not minding? I’ve witnessed many people take the wrong approach to both children and animals. I grew up in a generation where “spare the rod, spoil the child” was commonly practiced, but there was no gentleness to that theory. Teachers actually had wooden paddles with holes drilled in them (which were supposed to make the swat sting even more). I never got a paddling, so I can’t verify if that were true. This bring me back to the opening verse: to always be humble and gentle, and to be patient with one another. How you express yourself says a lot about the person you truly are.
In the 23rd Psalm it states that the Lord is my Shepherd. In Isaiah 40:11 it says, “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lamb in his arms holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”
We are his flock of sheep, and the children are the lambs. He leads us to lush green pastures, provides us with water, and gently guides us on our paths. My cup overflows with joy, and my heart is filled with gratitude, because with His gentleness I am safe, protected and loved.
One of my most favorite memories from my days attending vacation Bible school with a friend is a picture I saw of Jesus sitting in a garden, surrounded by children. He had a warm smile on his face and eyes that radiated love and gentleness. It was a beautiful image of a Father expressing his love and care for his children.
Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love.
Jesus is the ultimate role model of gentleness, he was humble and caring with people yet he would opt to suffer willingly rather than to retaliate against anger and fury.
Being gentle demands a significant amount of self-control. It involves patience, concentration, and maintaining inner peace. While some individuals possess this trait naturally, others have to work hard to achieve it. It’s important to note that being gentle doesn’t equate to weakness; a strong person can be gentle even if their outward appearance suggests otherwise.
Have you ever witnessed a child having a temper tantrum? Our first instinct is often to react and yell at them to stop, testing our self-control. Instead, take a deep breath and remain calm. Approach the child with a soothing gentleness that will eventually calm them. This same act of gentleness works on animals as well. Do you yell at your horse when it’s acting up or your dog when it’s not minding? I’ve witnessed many people take the wrong approach to both children and animals. I grew up in a generation where “spare the rod, spoil the child” was commonly practiced, but there was no gentleness to that theory. Teachers actually had wooden paddles with holes drilled in them (which were supposed to make the swat sting even more). I never got a paddling, so I can’t verify if that were true. This bring me back to the opening verse: to always be humble and gentle, and to be patient with one another. How you express yourself says a lot about the person you truly are.
In the 23rd Psalm it states that the Lord is my Shepherd. In Isaiah 40:11 it says, “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lamb in his arms holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”
We are his flock of sheep, and the children are the lambs. He leads us to lush green pastures, provides us with water, and gently guides us on our paths. My cup overflows with joy, and my heart is filled with gratitude, because with His gentleness I am safe, protected and loved.
One of my most favorite memories from my days attending vacation Bible school with a friend is a picture I saw of Jesus sitting in a garden, surrounded by children. He had a warm smile on his face and eyes that radiated love and gentleness. It was a beautiful image of a Father expressing his love and care for his children.
Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
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