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May 18, 2026 06:00am

Gentle Enough to Be Remembered

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My grandpa passed away when I was quite young, but there are a few things I can remember about him. He served in the war, he carried an old metal lunchbox and thermos, and he loved his blue leather recliner. He was funny and always made me laugh when he would poke out his dentures at me. We sang silly songs like “Yon Yonsin” (ask me anytime, and I’ll sing it for you). And he always had two things in his pockets—certs and some change for us.

As I hear people talk of him and remember what he was like, there is always one common word they use: gentle.

“He was a kind-hearted and gentle man.”

I’m not sure what I aspire to be, what heights I hope to reach or what accomplishments, awards, or accolades I hope to achieve, but one day, when I, too, am gone from this world, I wonder what will be said of me. What will I be remembered for? And will it really matter?

Philippians 4:5
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”

I can only imagine Paul, as he wrote this letter, thinking back on his own life. Before he met Jesus, he was a persecutor of Christians. He was known for his harsh treatment and strict adherence to the law. Christians were terrified of him. Do you remember Ananias? He was the man God told to find Saul and share the truth of the Scriptures with him. Acts 9:13–14 says, “Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.’”

He was terrified! He knew what Saul was like, and what if he tried to kill him? But God said go, and Ananias obeyed.

And now, here he is—a changed man, transformed from Saul to Paul. As he writes this letter to the believers in Philippi, he reminds them that the Lord is coming soon.

And they should be known for their gentleness.

Not the harshness he once believed in.

Before we judge. Before we speak words of anger, frustration, or hostility. Before we act out of self-righteousness, let’s consider the words of Paul.

Let your gentleness be known to all men.

Paul was a great example of a life changed by Jesus. Do our lives show the same change?

If you want to know what it means to have a relationship with Christ and how to be a reflection of Him, go to follow.lifeword.org.