Kinder. Gentler.

"Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The LORD is near."

(Philippians 4:5)

President George H.W. Bush accepted the Republican party's nomination for president in 1988, and called for a "kinder, gentler nation." Which, in some ways, was kind of a change for us. Sure, kindness is universally valued. But gentleness? We were the rugged individuals who fought our way to independence, blazed trails out West, and pulled ourselves sup to greatness by our bootstraps! We wouldn't intentionally be mean, of course, but "gentleness" was not on our nation's calling card.

When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he called the people to exhibit gentleness, so that all might experience it! And then he said, 'The LORD is near.' Why put that immediately after the challenge to exhibit gentleness? Well, it could be that Jesus himself lived a life of gentleness. His gentleness and love and compassion attracted the masses! As Christians, we've been called to follow his example. Sometimes it's hard to walk the line of discipleship vs. the line of cultural strength. "Don't be a pushover! Don't let others bully you! Stand your ground! Stand up for your rights! Be bold! Be assertive!"

But maybe, in our quest to live up to that image of "the rugged American," we're missing something quite revolutionary. "Let your gentleness be known to everyone." We don't want to look weak, so we eschew gentleness. And yet, God has a history of using gentleness to accomplish great things.

How might we (might I!) start thinking differently in our interactions, in light of this amazing verse?