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Meek isn’t weak

It’s hard to judge the strength of someone by only looking at their size.  Meekness isn’t weakness.
           

Matthew 5:5, NRSV

             I first met Christine Money during the time she was warden at the Ross Correctional Institute in Chillicothe, Ohio. Christine is a rather petite individual, particular compared to the all-male residents who live at the facility. I was attending a Kairos closing event at the time. Kairos is a three-day event intended to introduce the Christian faith to persons who are incarcerated. The closing ceremony begins with all of the residents walking in to a chorus of “When All the Saints Come Marching In.” The experience raised the hair on the back of my neck.

            During the opening moments of the event, Christine Money rose to speak. Every resident stood and applauded her. The respect that was given to Christine by those men was something to behold. To a person, the warden was held in high esteem. I soon discovered why Christine was so highly regarded. She treated every inmate with dignity and respect. Reflexively, each resident treated her in kind.

            Christine emulates the strength of character that Jesus alluded to when he claimed that the meek will inherit the earth. Meek, gentle people have a knack for positively influencing the lives of others. Even in the hostile atmosphere of a prison reformatory, a meek person has the capacity to win over the most hardened of hearts. No shouting is required. No reminders are necessary as to who is in charge. The gentle soul can bring about peace in places where adversity tends to reign.

            I believe Christine Money is a good example of Jesus’ claim that he came to serve rather than to be served. Leadership is fundamentally about serving others for the purpose of bringing out the best in them. For bringing out the best in others goes a long way in making the world a better place to live.

            So, I offer kudos to the meek of this world. I pray their gentleness will bring about greater peace to this conflicted planet. I pray, too, that their numbers will increase.