The next few days, I’m going to focus each day on a different Beatitude. What is a Beatitude? They are the blessings that Jesus listed in His Sermon on the Mount.
First of all, do you want to be a beatified person? Of course you do! According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, being a beatified person would convey that you are enjoying the bliss of heaven. Ahhhh..not that sounds refreshing, and exciting!
Let’s take a look at the first of many Beatitudes:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NIV) Matthew 5:1-3
I often get a giggle out of how The Message translation puts a spin on these verses: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.” (MSG)
Well? Have you been there? At the end of the rope? Miserable in your spirit?
Okay, here’s an excerpt from the journal entry, “How Freeing” , I wrote last year. The powerful phrase from Francesca Battistelli’s song came to my mind after reading Matthew 5:3:
Do you ever read a bible verse or hear a bible story that you’ve read before, if not a thousand times, but “this” time you read it God reveals something new and fresh to you? He so does this! God’s word is living and relevant to our lives each day. We just need to read with open minds for Him to share His freshness with us.
That’s how I felt about the phrase in this song. The last part of the chorus says, “But on Your shoulders I can see I’m free to be me, and You’re free to be You”. When she sang the words, You’re free to be You, I was like, “Whoa!”
How often do we hold God back? Really. Think about it. We frequently want to control situations in our lives. When we do this, we are holding God back. We are not freeing Him to give us all the blessings He has for us. Friend, we are missing out when we control things and don’t allow God to do what He does (and knows) is best.
Stand on God’s shoulders and feel the freedom of living out His will for your life.
So true! When there is less of you and more of God, you are rich! A lively quality and enthusiasm of and for life. That’s it…when we focus more on God and less on our selves, THAT is truly living!
Go…Just Be…ready for more of God.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalms 34:8
“Great blessings belong to those who fear and respect the Lord and live the way he wants.” Psalms 128:1
Have a wonderful day.
I pray that you will enjoy soaking up THE SON every moment of each day. –Stephanie
