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Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart. Matt. 11:29

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil. 4:5

Lord Jesus, no one is more gentle than you. No one is as welcoming of sinners, as kind to the broken, or as understanding of strugglers as you. Unlike me, you never get nervous, flustered, agitated, or hurried. Gentle me, Jesus.

Gentle me in this season of pre-virus cravings, asymptomatic carriers, disregarded boundaries. Gentle me when rubber-neck drivers add 20 minutes to my 15-minute drive. Gentle me when things just don’t work out.

Gentle me when loved ones deserve undistracted engagement, yet seven other things compete for my attention. Gentle me when I face fair and unfair criticism. Gentle me when I cannot fix the very people you never gave me to fix.

Gentle me when everybody is catching fish but me. Gentle me the rest of this election year cycle—as lying, conniving, and crazy get supersized.

Gentle me when Satan condemns me for things I actually did, but for which you paid my entire debt. Gentle me when I’m with people who see faith, politics, and life choices very differently from me. You haven’t made me the boss of anybody, Jesus; but you have called me to be kind, respectful, and gentle.

As Paul stated, Lord, you are “near.” You are so near us in the Gospel; in fact, you live in our hearts. You are also near in terms of coming back to finish making all things new. Hallelujah, and may that happen soon.

May your nearness generate a much quicker repentance on our part. Make us a gentle people, by the Gospel and for your glory, Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your powerful and loving name.

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