The world we live in screams that we are blessed for earthly matters. Hollywood glamour, fashion trends, excess money, a degree, a smooth, wide road to travel, all our wants received and our circumstances favorable. But true blessedness, the blessedness that Jesus teaches, is raw and gritty. It puts others before self and God above all.
Your are BLESSED when:
- you're at the end of your rope.
- you feel you've lost what is most dear to you.
- you're content with just who you are - no more, no less.
- you've worked up a good appetite for God.
- you care and you're 'care-full'.
- you get your inside world - your mind and your heart - put right.
- you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete and fight.
- your commitment to God provokes persecution.
- people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Jesus.
And in our BLESSEDNESS we find:
- With less of ourselves, there's more room for God.
- We are able to be embraced by the One most dear to us.
- We are proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
- He's food and drink in the best meal we'll ever eat.
- We are cared for.
- We can see God in the outside world.
- Who we really are and our place in God's family.
- Persecution drives us even deeper into God's kingdom.
- We are in good company.
In stark comparison to the shouts of the world our Father whispers louder that BLESSED are:
- the poor in spirit.
- those who mourn.
- the meek.
- those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
- the merciful.
- the pure in heart.
- the peacemakers.
- those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
For His promise is that they:
- Will be comforted.
- Will inherit the earth (Rev. 21:1)
- Will be filled.
- Will be shown mercy.
- Will see God.
- Will be called sons of God.
And that theirs is:
- the kingdom of God
- the kingdom of heaven
Great is their reward in heaven!
We get caught up in the shouts of the world and we miss the whispers of our Savior who climbed the mountainside. Our every day blessings that the Father is pouring out so readily are shadowed by the lies of a dark kingdom.
I get caught up in the sorrow of losing a life that shaped and molded mine since birth.
I get caught up in the days drawing near to the day our first baby was born into heaven.
I get caught up in the noise and clutter of my home when I simply need a moment to be still and breathe.
I get caught up in the loss of a childhood safe haven and the reality that all things of this earth fade away.
I get caught up in hurrying to get it all done and fit it all in.
I get caught up in the demands of mamahood, homemaking, homeschooling, community, family when there's too much of it all and not enough of me.
So if you're with me on this, if you're caught up in the shouts and have trouble finding the solid rock in which you stand. If you feel like you're falling and maybe failing and you're weary and in need of a rescue...
Let us climb away from the shouting and find a quiet place. Let us turn our wandering hearts to our Savior above, to fix our eyes on His love,
on His redemption,
on His healing
and His strength.
To allow ourselves to let go of the cares of this world and get caught up in His grace.
May we be part of the committed ones who are willing to climb the mountainside to find a quiet place, away from the shouts of darkness, to hear the whispers of our Savior.
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isaiah 51:11
"Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
"Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise." Jeremiah 17:14
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
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