Meekness and Rest

A.W. Tozer wrote a chapter about meekness and rest in his book The Pursuit of God. He discussed how we burden ourselves with interior heartaches such as the burden of pride, pretense and artificiality.

He says, "Think for yourself whether much of your sorrow has not arisen from someone speaking slightingly of you...the heart's fierce effort to protect itself from every slight, to shield its touchy honor from the bad opinion of friend and enemy, will never let the mind have rest. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort...the rest of meekness is the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend."

I desire to grow in wisdom and as the years go by I am slowly grasping these concepts. The heart and all the emotions it carries inside will often have the first say, but a thinking mind can counteract and allow true rest to enter by being authentic. There is so much upset, emotion, insecurity and desire for acceptance in the world and the only way to get the burden off our backs is to be who we are; we are created to be no other. Fear of rejection is so debilitating that we can lose sight of our dreams, goals and intentions trying to run around impressing people, staying ahead of the pack or pleasing everyone.

Keeping in check with the status quo can be exhausting. Keeping in line with using our talents, spending time in rewarding work, pursuing creative endeavors and finding true love for others borne not out of competition but out of the pure pleasure of another soul to commune with is invigorating, inviting, exciting and something to look forward to each new day.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)