We are in the time of the year where we count our blessings and think on all the things we are thankful for. I wonder how often we actually stop to think how truly blessed we are. I know that I have been doing a lot more of this lately...as I have had some time on my hands and been able to witness the amazing provision of God during this difficult season.
I was sitting in the car line having my quiet time, (remember yesterday's post about trying to focus and rid myself of distractions?) and I was reading in Matthew chapter 5. If you are familiar with the Bible, you will recognize this passage as having The Beatitudes in the beginning. I am trying to do my best to read the Bible with clear eyes, not relying on information I know or have read before. One way that helps me do this is to read the Bible in a different translation. Today I was reading in The Message translation (probably one of my most favorite, by the way). I have to share with you what I read. It was so good and rocked me to the core. If you want to check out the whole chapter, you can go HERE!
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
16 "Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
22 The simple moral fact is that words kill.
37 When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. 48"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."
My prayer for you, as it is for me and my family, is that we will truly remember how blessed we are. That trials will make us reflect on the goodness of God. That being content in all things helps us be more selfless and generous. That our words and actions will truly reflect a life that is striving to be more like Jesus everyday. And that others will see something different in us and that "something" will help turn their eyes off of us and on to Jesus.
Have a great end of your week! Love you all!
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