ADVANCE // NICE

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

That doesn't seem right...if we're honest. It seems a whole lot more likely that bullies seem to take control. We see it in our culture all the time, whether it's a "jerk" or a "mean girl"-- oftentimes, they seem to be the ones who gain the most ground the most quickly in life. It's like when a piñata gets opened-- who's going to get the most candy? The meek? Nope, it's going to be aggressive kid who's willing to throw elbows.

That's why it's so wild when Jesus says that "meekness" is going to be a characteristic of those who have chosen to come out from the crowd and become a follower of Him. Not only are Jesus' followers going to be meek, but they have the Ultimate Meek Example, in the way that Jesus laid down His life for others-- never selfishly asserting His own will over others.

Jesus echoes a promise from Psalm 37:9-11, that basically says this: "It looks like the bullies are getting ahead. But keep following God. He's got something amazing for you."

What's so awesome? Peace with God. Internal peace. Peace with others. And, oh yeah, knowing that we will truly have it all when we have Jesus for eternity.

So, yeah, join the meek squad. For one, you'll look more like Jesus. For two, you're going to inherit the earth.

Give up ground on the things that don't matter to gain ground in the areas that do.

The meek gain the ground that matters."