Gentle . . . As a Stallion?

 "As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle**; be patient, bearing with one another in love." ~Eph. 4:1&2

**Greek definition: gentle (meek) = strength brought under control; as in a stallion.

When I was growing up I lived to ride horses. It was my passion ~ horses were in nearly every waking thought and in my dreams. I still enjoy everything about them: the velvety feel of their soft nose, the pertness of their ears and eyes on alert, even the smell of a barn makes me very happy.

But there is nothing like the feel of actually riding. There is nothing like the feel of being on a smart, well trained horse that "listens" to every little tug of the reins, press of your knee or shift of your weight in the saddle . . . and obeys. There is nothing like feeling the strain of every muscle underneath your saddle as you make your obedient horse rear up and pause on his back two legs. It's a beautiful, scary thing to know that that huge creature is willing itself to obey little ol' you.

And that is how we are to willingly control ourselves as we demonstrate our love of the Lord to the world. It's almost like letting that once-trendy saying, What would Jesus Do?, be applied as reins upon our conduct and character as we "live a life worthy of the calling [we] have received." 

We live in a fallen world ~ tests and trials fill segments of our day ~ how we act and re-act will be evidence to the world around us of the saving, changing power of Christ in our lives.  When our first thought in those situations is to not be Christ-like, let the Holy Spirit rein you in. Let yourself be brought under control by His loving hand. 

The ride will be much sweeter if you do.

 Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><