With the help of my four-footed friends I have fine-tuned my understanding of the words: ‘meekness’ and ‘submissiveness’.

The dog on the right, Tucker, is a wonderfully meek dog. E.W. Bullinger defines meekness as: “meek, gentle, enduring all things with an even temper. Tender, free from haughty self-sufficiency, tender in spirit.” Maggie, in the middle, has strong submissive traits and she is highly trained as a hunting dog; a job she totally enjoys (Sadie on the left is just too cute and sweet!).

Both meekness and submissiveness can be positive behavior patterns. Humans who have cognitive minds, have the God-given, free-will choice in exhibiting neither, either or both. Allowing the love of God to be ‘shed abroad' in our hearts, we can be tenderhearted and deliberately place ourselves in a proper arrangements (marriage is a good example of this). We can also be meek and not submit to something we don’t believe is best (our free-will right). If we are tenderhearted and decide to submit to something that is not the best, we have to bear with a little hypocrisy. And finally we might not be meek and not be submissive. It’s all our choice.

We all have multiple opportunities to submit to something like family, friendship, work, the law, and marriage just to name a few. Even in the small details of life, meekness and submission are helpful qualities.

It is our free-will choice to put ourselves in subjection to God through His Word and His son Jesus Christ. It’s an easy choice when we realize and get to know His heart toward us. In Psalm 1:1-3, God prefaces the wonderful book of psalms with His heart for His own.

1 BLESSED (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (Amplified version)

19 We love Him, because He first loved us. I John 4:19