March 1

Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. — 1 Cor 16:13 BSB

Gentleness and kindness aren’t everything. Someone might possess these qualities but still fall short of having a fully developed Christian character. There must be strength alongside beauty. Love fulfills the law, as all the commandments are summed up in the simple phrase, “You shall love.” But love is a big word, like a picture made up of many smaller ones. All the responsibilities we have toward God and others are wrapped up in this divine idea of love.

We can’t just focus on the gentle aspects of Christian character and think that’s enough. Christ was infinitely gentle, with a warmth that made people feel safe and loved. But behind his gentleness was immense strength. We must be like him, offering both kindness and strength, truth and righteousness. To others, we must be not just tender but also a solid, reliable source of support.