Personality Development: Maturity in Gentleness
"I am like a mirror. If you smile at me, I will smile back. If you are good to me, I would be the best person you have come across. But if you try to be mean with me, you will remember me for life!"
Have you heard such a statement from someone before. Probably, you have heard yourself say it some time.
I am reminded of a few word from a nursery rhyme:
"I love little pussy,
her coat is so warm.
And if I don't hurt her,
she will do me no harm."
Comparing with these words, the above statement should sound 'animal instinct' to reflect like a mirror. The world appreciates gentleness. But the rhyme goes on to explain what it is to be gentle in worldly terms:
"So I'll not pull her tail,
nor drive her away.
But pussy and I
very gently will play."
It's a fair 'give and take' policy that makes up to 'worldly' gentleness.
Respond! Don't React!
"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction," goes the Third Law of Newton. It's a universally accepted theory and it applies globally to all 'things'. But human personality is not a 'thing' and if it fully follows the nature of animals and things, there is nothing superior in this greatest creation of God that are called 'human beings'.
It's okay for a baby or kid to react to circumstances. However, as we mature, we attain a nature that is not as primitive as a 'thing' or an 'animal', but is different and better than what it was. Day by day, we mature and our intellect develops, interfering in the way we behave. A mature person should respond to circumstances and events, not react. The difference between 'reacting' and 'responding' lies in the process of holding back, allowing the intellect to determine and then to bring out the reflex.
Road Rash and Street Fights
When a kid is beaten by another kid, the instant reaction would be to give back. We see this happening not only between kids, but also among grown-ups and the so called 'mature' personalities. We watch this in movies, read about them in newspapers and many times, do it ourselves - just giving back.
But there's a Person who said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back." And He is the most mature character whom the world has ever known, whom we ought to follow.
Follow the Master
Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples, "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."We, as human beings, forever strive to be better than others. Let's strive to be a better person, following good examples. What better example can we get than the Lord Himself?
He has also said, ""Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Be patient; Be humble; Be a better person, like the Lord.
Take the challenge! Be the salt and light to the world. Let's make this world a better place to live - for ourselves and for others.
