Fighting one day in the tough Iraqi city of Fallujah, a Marine sergeant decided to put himself at risk in order to get a frightened family to safety. He stepped into a courtyard and spoke quietly for a few minutes with the father. He took time to make sure the kids had water, and the toys his men gave them.

 

Then it was back to the war.

 

Gentleness can be misunderstood. Too often we think, for example, that a man is not masculine if he’s gentle.

 

Not true. This Fruit of the Spirit is a real strength, no matter one’s gender. But for men, it can be more than that; gentleness can be an asset.

 

Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

 

No matter where we are, we are to conduct ourselves with a gentle nature. In every encounter, we are to model the love of Christ, to show a damaged world that good is stronger than evil.

 

Let’s pray.

 

Lord, you are so gentle with our tangled spirits! In our sin, you look at us with love. Thank you so much for that. Amen.