Father Really Does Know Best

by Francine Biere
Published February 6, 2006

Blessed are the Meek … Matthew 5:5
Part 1

The world sees meekness as a weakness.

Common definitions include "patience and humility, being submissive, or passive." Even looking up meek in a thesaurus shows words like humble, docile, and mild. But then, you find the word timid and I believe that's another meaning most assign to the word meek.

If we are looking to Jesus for direction in how we should live, then this next beatitude is a natural progression from the first two. In other words, what does being meek look like on the inside? If you tie the word back to its Greek meaning, you can begin to understand that, like many Greek words, it's more than just a word, it's a concept. It's close to humility. Some Bible translations have used the word gentle.

I believe being meek is close to being poor in spirit in that we recognize our emptiness and, in turning to God, we accept His plans for us as the very best. In other words, we do not dispute or resist what He is doing in our lives. That's difficult to do, and in fact, takes courage and faith to trust God's plans over our own. That's where strength comes into play.

If we are trying to live our faith, we need to understand that God's plans may – and usually do – conflict with what we want. I think that's why it's important we remember Jesus' two greatest commandments about loving God and loving others. If we aren't at that point yet, being meek is going to be difficult, if not impossible.

It takes strength beyond our own to turn from the things we want and submit to what God wants. Yet we need to understand that if we are truly seeking God, and we are allowing Him to fill us, He is going to re-create the desires of our hearts.

Too often, we struggle against what we know God would have us do. I know, because I resisted His leading for years, and was pretty successful, by the world's standards. But I never found peace within my heart, emotions, or spirit. While I was stubborn in insisting on doing it my way, I'm thankful that I was just as persistent in searching for day-to-day peace.

No worldly success – money, fame, possessions, even family – can produce lasting peace. Success is only as good as the next accomplishment. Moreover, success, regardless of what that looks like to each of us, is a fragile thing. It took losing almost everything to realize my way wasn't working. It's taken me a while to be thankful for all I've lost.

It's only when we quiet our lives that we can hear God's voice and begin to understand that He truly wants the best for us. Why would He want any different? After all, we are His beloved children. Regardless of what kind of parent you are or what kind of parent you had, God's love for us as a child is found throughout the Bible. If you doubt that, visit the website " Fathers Love Letter," http://www.fathersloveletter.com and check out how much your heavenly Father loves you.

Those of us who grew up in the late fifties or sixties laugh at the television show, "Father Knows Best." We've come to recognize its unrealistic solutions to problems, yet there was a basis of truth in those lessons. The world has changed since then. It's become an uncertain place filled with evil. Sounds to me like a perfect time to look up to the Creator of this world and recognize His authority – and His desires for His children. Who better to look to than the one who knows you best.

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