He Chose Meekness (Forty Days with Jesus – Day 30, Mar 23rd)

23 Mar He Chose Meekness (Forty Days with Jesus – Day 30, Mar 23rd)

Read Matthew 5:2-12

Thought for the Day: Jesus calls us to live meekly!

An eccentric candymaker stunned society in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by opening his top-secret factory to five lucky guests. As soon as this was announced, the entire world succumbed to chaos and indulgence while trying to find one of the ‘Golden Tickets’. However, young Charlie Bucket lived meekly. He tried hard in school, looked out for his grandparents, and quietly went on doing the right thing. After chance led him to be one of the five winners, Charlie didn’t let this go to his head – he stayed meek and kind. While Veruca Salt wanted everything now, Charlie smiled and simply enjoyed the experience. When Wonka gave him the opportunity to steal an Everlasting Gobstopper and sell it, Charlie resisted this temptation and returned the lucrative candy. In a world where others aggressively pursued their own interests, Charlie lived a meek life.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that meekness leads to happiness: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness is rarely found in our society. In fact, acting in a kind and soft-spoken manner can be misunderstood as a weakness. However, this could not be further from the truth. As Christians, we seek to be more like Jesus. He chose to live meekly and put the needs of others before His own.

In the fictional Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie inherited a factory when he lived meekly. In real life, Jesus taught that the meek will inherit the earth. Why? Because the meek seek to build a better tomorrow and realize life isn’t about me! Today, let’s choose meekness and let God do the rest.

Reflect & Pray – Do I live life aggressively pursuing my own interests? Today, am I willing to repent and see that life isn’t about me? God, please give me the courage to stop making it all about me and start living for You!