A Different Meaning

When Christopher Wren completed the construction of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, he invited the queen to visit it. After touring this magnificent house of worship, the queen said, “It is awful; it is amusing.” Was Wren disappointed? Not at all! In 1710 the word “awful” meant “awesome.” And the word “amusing” meant “amazing.” Words change their meanings, don’t they?

A great example of this is in the use of the word “meek.” Jesus described Himself as meek, and in the Beatitudes he says, “Blessed are the meek.” We think the word means mild, or even weak. But that is not the case. Someone who is meek is God-tamed, God-trained, and God-tempered. It is a word that signifies strength under control, or self-disciplined. It is to become like Jesus – and that should be the goal of everyone who is growing in Christ.