Here’s this week’s contribution to the One-Word-At-A-Time Blog Carnival. I encourage you to click the link and check out some of the other carnival attractions. As we work our way through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5), this week’s word is:
GENTLENESS
What do you think? Can real men do gentle?
For most of my life, “gentle” described one thing.
Toilet paper.
Toilet paper was supposed to be gentle, and we all know what happens to toilet paper.
I grew up in a blue-collar family. The adults in my life scrapped and fought their way through Depression and war. The values were hard work, self-reliance, sacrifice, and hard work. You made your own breaks and earned your own way. You got what you wanted by working harder than everyone else. If someone stood in your way you shoved them aside.
Sports, school, and life were about competing, winning, knowing that nobody’s going to give you anything. If you want it you have to take it, most likely from someone else. If you don’t fight for it, someone else will. You’re either a winner or a loser.
Impose your will. Bigger, faster, stronger, smarter—and did I mention hard work?
In certain situations you were supposed to “be a gentleman,” which generally meant displaying good manners while crushing the opposition. Be polite, open doors for women, wear the right clothes. Make sure you wear clean underwear—not quite sure how that’s connected, but it was always in there somewhere.
Real gentlemen shook hands with their opponents—after defeating them. Gentlemen were just a bit more polite about fighting their way to the top of the ladder. But it was always clear that a gentleman wasn’t a gentle man.
Gentle was for sissies. Gentle guys stood back, gave in, let others get the girl or the money or the trophy. You pushed your way to the front because tough and aggressive marked the only path to success.
WHAT’S GENTLE?
In THE MESSAGE, gentleness is rendered “not needing to force our way in life.” The dictionary uses synonyms like docile, soft, delicate, and mild-mannered.
Toilet paper.
Coaches and teachers, men in my family—the “real men” I admired weren’t docile, soft, or mild-mannered. They intentionally and proudly forced their way through life. And if that took fighting or yelling or swearing, that’s what you did.
In that context, here comes this guy named Jesus who wants me to follow Him, and He says crazy things like this:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” [Matthew 11:28-29]
He’s okay for quiet Sunday mornings, but you can’t compete and win in the real world by following a guy who’s weak. Bosses, leaders, men who really accomplished something—they trampled guys like Jesus.
Gentle Jesus—nice thought, but not the leader to follow to success. Everything I knew told me Jesus was a wimp, a ninety-eight pound weakling who’d get sand kicked in His face.
Of course, everything I knew—or thought I knew—was wrong.
Can a real man follow Jesus?
Yes—but it ain’t easy.
Following Jesus requires hard work and sacrifice. His followers delay gratification and focus on principles and long-term goals rather than short-term results.
Jesus’ followers must stand for what they believe in the face of fierce opposition. They risk interim defeat and failure in pursuit of big-picture aspirations. They’re willing to sweat and work hard to build something meaningful and lasting.
The world screams that power is achieved through force and violence. But control gained through yelling, fighting, and intimidation is a weak man’s imitation of strength.
Gentle isn’t just for toilet paper. Gentleness isn’t about fear or giving in. True gentleness requires character, commitment, and courage.
FOLLOW ME
Following the crowd is easy. Anyone—even a coward—can do what everyone else is doing.
Following Jesus is hard.
But one thing I learned as a kid is certainly true: real men—and real women—don’t run away just because something’s difficult.
The stream is gentle, flowing around obstacles, following its own path. But if you try to steer it you understand its power.
Do you struggle to remember the difference between weakness and gentleness?
Did you enjoy this article? I encourage you to leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Rich, you have really shown your strength…your gentle strength…this is gonna be your next book….just sayin…Loved it and thank you.
Thanks for the confidence that there will be a "next book." I'm going to need to ponder a book centered around a "toilet paper" theme…might be a cool marketing gimmick.
Awww you can throw the toilet paper, lol, but your words are keepers!! It is a book that is needed…..
I had to think about the alternative to toilet paper, and decided I liked gentleness instead. Great post, Rich.
My Dad used to talk about the Sears catalog–ouch!
Rich,
A real man needs to be gentle…if he wants to be strong that is! Thanks for a great post.
Peace,
Jay
I'm really enjoying how many of the men (and women) are comparing gentleness to weakness… and are finding that gentleness is powerful!
Thanks for this great post, Rich.
"The stream is gentle, flowing around obstacles, following its own path. But if you try to steer it you understand its power." What a great picture of gentleness! Great post!
I love your post, yes you can be gentle, but still be determined to follow your heart and your faith.
Good thinking. It took me a long time to realize that gentle men weren't wimps. When the Lord said He was going to give me a husband He said, "If I give you a good guy, will you be nice to him?" I said, "YES!!!" I had learned the hard way that preferring "tough" over "wiimpy" was the wrong way to envision life. And I have a true "Gentle"man.
What a beautiful gentle strength you have. Thank you for sharing it! Thank you for inspiring me.
Rich, I believe it's a wonderful attribute to be a gentle man. Your great interpretation, "intimidation is a weak man’s imitation of strength" is certainly the wrong message that some fathers are sending their sons. Having watched many boys since birth, I see how important is to break the stereotype that "big boys don't cry." I love seeing the sensitive side of a little guy that shows a depth of caring instilled within. Thank you for stopping my blog; I enjoy reading your writing as well.
JoAnne
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