Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who could slay with one strike but leave their sword sheathed.
For in their powerful gentleness they will inherit the earth.
The powerful sword wielder knows that blood leads to more blood.
The sword is useful for eliminating, but can not plant, germinate and bring to fruit.
There is a better way, and the sword wielder knows this, not to relinquish their scabbard and sword, but not to have to unsheathed it either.
A wisdom can exist, a form of the fear of the Lord that can exist in the Gentleman’s eyes, that causes caution on the part of the foolish. There is a “don’t mess with me” and a “come let us walk together” in that look, not unlike Abbas, for the Gentleman knows that an inheritance can occur without the shedding of blood. The fool can learn wisdom, for they themselves were once that fool.
How does that sword wielder become a Gentleman?
- By not drawing blood.
- By not taking cheap shots because you can.
- By laying such a word that even if it cuts, the person wants the cut and the outcome.
- By walking beside rather than talking at.
- By living empathy over sympathy.
If you think someone is full of shit, even as they speak and as they work to bring into action their words, there is of course bullshit in what they say and what they do. Just like you.
The Gentleman does not draw his sword and slay just because he can, they know how to work in such a way that the bullshit becomes less and Jesus becomes obvious and more, in themselves and in others.
It is as simple as seeking to be part of the answer. Even an answer that receives opposition. Even then engaging that opposition with gentleness, skillfully putting aside their reactions while not themselves engaging in reactions.
Action rather than reaction is not afraid of the questions, nor is it rushed, it is comfortable in silences, it is prepared and considered, it can say “I don’t know, I’ll get back to you on that.” And it does! It can say, “Well that is one way of looking at it.” And it can provide a reasonable counter reply, and simply let their words stand.
There is a gentle strength that we need to learn where our words, once we have let them out into the world, they do not need us to defend them. We may repeat them or better explain them, but we let Jesus defend them. Is he not better at this than us?
Gather to yourself Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, sheathed sword wearers.
Become one yourself.