One of the clearest voices calling believers to surrender to Jesus was George Whitefield, who said, “I have just put my soul as a blank into the hand of Jesus, my Redeemer, and desired Him to write on it what He pleases; I know it will be His image.”1 This expresses more than personal devotion—it reflects a central theme of the Christian life that Scripture calls meekness. Far from being obscure or secondary, meekness is repeatedly exalted in the Word of God. Jesus declared, “Blessed are the meek” (Matthew 5:5, KJV), the psalmist wrote, “The meek shall eat and be satisfied” (Psalm 22:26, KJV), and the apostle Paul identified meekness as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23, KJV). Yet this biblical virtue is often misunderstood as weakness or passivity. Meekness is not weakness at all. It is strength surrendered: power willingly placed under the authority of Christ.
An illustration from horse training helps clarify this truth. A strong-willed and powerful horse is made meek through discipline and guidance. The goal isn’t to weaken the horse or remove its strength but to bring its great power under the control of the rider. A trained war horse remains courageous, strong, and energetic, yet it responds to the slightest touch of the reins. Its once wild nature becomes disciplined and useful. Meekness isn’t the absence of strength but strength under control.
This reflects the Christian life. Spiritual meekness doesn’t arise naturally from within us; it is a product of believers continually submitting their desires, ambitions, and affections to the Lord Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. God takes the raw, proud, self?driven nature of mankind and transforms it into disciplined obedience for His plan and His glory. We are transformed into what we were created to be: a bright reflection of Christ on Earth. Such a life bears fruit that stands apart from the dark spirit of this world, and that distinction matters deeply in a time when biblical truth is either opposed outright or subtly diluted as competing worldviews are mingled with Christianity. In such a climate, believers are not called to pursue fleeting earthly treasures but to invest in the eternal kingdom of Christ: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–20, KJV).
Over the years, I have seen ICR as a ministry marked by this kind of “strength under control.” Like a trained horse guided by its master, ICR desires to be useful in the Lord’s hands to strengthen believers, edify His church, and proclaim the truth of His creation. But even strong horses must be fed to continue the work before them. In the same way, ICR depends upon the prayers and support of the Lord’s people to continue pressing forward for truth.
In this work of everlasting investment, we are deeply thankful for those who support ICR. Whether through the widow’s mites (Luke 21:1–3), through abundance, or anywhere in between, your faithful giving sustains the labor of building Christ’s kingdom, uplifting His creation, and proclaiming His truth in a world increasingly opposed to Him.
Reference
- Gilbert, J. H. 1895. Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers. New York, NY: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 543.
Stage image: General Grant's horse, "Cincinnati," March 1865
Stage image credit: LOC, public domain
Mrs. Krieg is the director of planned giving at the Institute for Creation Research.
