You are Blessed

I don't know about all of you, but there are certain scriptures that I have read so many times that they almost lose their meaning for me, unless they are engaged in a new way. On Sunday I was doing my daily devotions reading "The Beatitudes" and found myself thinking "I've heard all of this before," but didn't feel like it had any significant relevance to me. After all, I don't often consider myself to be meek, or persecuted because of righteousness. So, I turned to The Message, and was really moved by what I read. I'll share it with you here:

Matthew 5- You're Blessed

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

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.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

I found each line speaking to me, and to the people around me. Often we feel at the end of our ropes, and like we've lost everything important to us, but Jesus says it is at those times when each one of us are blessed. These are the times when, if we allow it, there is more of God and less of us, when we are embraced, and cared for, and when become the proud owners of everything that cannot be bought.