Meekness from the Margins by iyree jarrett

This past weekend, Brandi and Allison shared a message that challenged the way many people think about power and what it means to be meek. Brandi shared that, as a person of color, her first reaction to Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the meek,” was, “Are you asking me to give up the little power I have?” It was such an honest question because, throughout history, people from marginalized communities have often been told to stay quiet, be humble, and accept injustice.

What was so refreshing about their message was that they didn’t define meekness as becoming smaller or giving up your voice. Instead, they described it as letting go of the desire to control other people. Meekness isn’t about surrendering our dignity or agency or accepting oppression. It’s about refusing to use whatever influence we have to dominate, exclude, or diminish someone else. As Brandi put it, it’s about letting go of our “God complexes,” the impulse to decide who belongs, who deserves grace, or how others should live.

Although they spoke from their experiences as people of color, that challenge extends to everyone. Regardless of our background, we all face the temptation in different ways to center ourselves, assume we know best, or use our influence in ways that leave less room for others to flourish. Jesus offers a different vision of power, one rooted in humility, gentleness, and love rather than control.

That perspective gives new meaning to Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the meek.” Meekness is not weakness. It is the humility to trust God instead of trying to play God and to create space for others to live fully as themselves. In a world that often celebrates dominance and control, that kind of strength feels deeply needed.