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What comes to mind when you think of the word “meek?” Most dictionaries define it as being quiet, gentle, submissive, or easily imposed upon. The word we sometimes associate with meek is “weak.” While that can be true, the nuances of being meek—especially as it is used in Scripture—are much different. When Jesus teaches that the meek shall inherit the earth in Matthew 5, He doesn’t mean “weak.” Biblical meekness is controlled strength, a surrendering of power to God.
There’s a word for everything. Once upon a time, someone deep in thought was said to have been “pondering their belly button.” There’s an exact word for that: omphaloskepsis. For you scholars out there, it’s derived from the Greek words omphalos (meaning “navel”) and skepsis (“reflection”).
Words matter. They are often more precise than we think. When used carefully and thoughtfully, they create clarity and understanding. When they are used haphazardly, they can breed misunderstanding, frustration, and even apathy.
Words very much matter as we craft the stories that fill each issue of the Texan, and one of the burdens I regularly feel is making sure we are using the most accurate words to describe what it is God is doing through our Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches. In our articles, you will often see phrases that carry a ton of weight, such as “movement of God” or “revival” or even “miraculous.” While these words are exciting to hear, I want to make sure we aren’t diluting them through overuse. After all, what constitutes a movement of God? How often are miracles happening?
Anytime God does a work, it’s miraculous—He is doing something only He can do. Anytime He touches a life, He always leaves an indelible mark.
I would never want these words to lose their impact the way, say, the phrase “breaking news” has been used and abused by major media outlets. It used to be that a breaking news alert was worthy of our attention; now, they happen all day every day. If everything is breaking news, nothing is breaking news. As a result, we give our attention less and less when such a declaration is made.
But here’s what I’ve come to believe with all my heart: Anytime God does a work, it’s miraculous—He is doing something only He can do. Anytime He touches a life, He always leaves an indelible mark. Though history records revivals that have impacted tens of thousands, they are no more eternally significant than the revival that comes when a single heart repents and sparks a heavenly celebration.
Every week, every month, we hear reports from across Texas about churches that are celebrating these very things. May we never grow so callous that we overlook the incredible things God is doing as He draws people unto Himself and uses our churches to change not only lives, but eternities.
God is good, and He is always at work. That means there will always be a great story to tell. If you or your church has a great story to tell about how you are seeing the Lord work, email me at jlarson@sbtexas.com.
