Back to the Blog

After a few days of not blogging, I am back to the old QWERTY.  (This is the keyboard for the technologically challenged.)  I know that my blogging thus far has been a bit on the whimsical side but today I am mixing it up a little bit.  I promised to share with you from my reading of the Gospels so today I will do just that.  I had the occasion this weekend to spend quite a bit of time and focus in the Gospel of Matthew.

If you are broken, down hearted, discouraged, frustrated, worried, sad, lonely or spiritually poor, then today's blog is just for you.  Sometimes in life, the simple act of living each day can become more than you can bear.  You may feel alone, scared, persecuted, or deserted.  In sharp contrast, you may feel extremely successful, self confident, holding the reigns of life in your hand.  Equally so, this blog is for you as well.  Either way, the commonality of all man is that we are searching for purpose in life.  There is that unfulfilled portion of our life that longs to be filled.  Each day when we put our feet out on the floor, we set out on our day with plans to do something meaningful and important or we may have no plan at all.  Maybe you feel like you cannot put one foot in front of the other or just putting your feet out on the floor is unfathomable. 

Last week, I found my self more in the broken spirit category.  I felt like I had stepped down off of a cliff and hit the bottom.  As I read from this beautiful gospel it spoke to me with such clarity and peace, so today I will share with you. 

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus draws his disciples near to him on the side of a mountain to share with them such wonderful truths.  Let me just pause and say to you, if you are a hiker or spend much time in the mountains, can you image sitting on a mountain side surrounded by its splendor and listening to the words of Christ? 
Vs 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus knows the sorrow and despair that we feel at times.  He gives us the hope that some day we will leave that sorrow behind and walk in true HAPPINESS into heaven.
Vs 4 Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
This verse reminds me of a dear friend of mine who lost her son.  I know she suffers and mourns for him daily.  I know that she loves our Lord and lives with the eternal hope of a day of comfort in the arms of not only her son but Christ as well. It is in Christ today that she finds comfort and strength.
Vs 5 Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.
Meekness is selflessness.  There are those that give of themselves constantly with no expectation of a return.  For them Christ promises an inheritance.  What a thought,  to have a portion of the inheritance of God.
Vs 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.
This verse especially stands out to me.  As I mentioned earlier, everyone seeks for purpose and meaning in life.  Christ promises here in this verse that if you turn to Him and seek His righteousness, he will feel the longing of your heart.  Rich, poor, black, white, famous, unknown; we all thirst,  we all hunger.  Christ has the satisfaction to fill that need.
Vs 7  Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
As a nurse and a patient, I know that true mercy comes when you begin to feel the suffering of those that you serve.  It is not until you feel the pain that ravages the body and the mind, that you can truly empathize and care for others.  As those who know Christ, it is our duty to share the message of the Gospel not because some pastor told us to.  It is because we know the mercy of the Lord and have a desire to share it with others.  I believe this is the greatest gift of mercy we can give.
Vs 8  Blessed are the pure in heart;  for they shall see God.
Sometimes in my own life, I get so caught up in a striving for perfection as an employee, wife, mother that I start to lose sight of  what is truly important.  Our significance in life is not from how close we get to being "right."  Our significance comes from acceptance of Christ to step in and clean up our corrupt and lonely life and purify our heart.  It is only with this that we ever have hope of seeing God.
Vs 9  Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
When we have peace in our heart, it flows out into all that we do.  We live a life of peace with ourselves and with others.  Even when things are falling apart in our own life, deep inside their is an assurance of a peace that passes all understanding.
Vs 10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteouseness' sake;  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
God did not promise a flowery bed of ease.  Sometimes things are going to be tough just because you are doing what is right, but again look for the hope of heaven at the end of this strife.  There is so much more awaiting us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this today.  Difficult times in life face us all from the richest to the poorest.  No matter where you are or what you are going through, just remember that Christ cares for you and gave his life up freely for you.  If you do not know him today, I would love to talk to you about how to have a relationship with him and receive the blessings that He speaks of in these verses.  May God richly bless you today and may you feel His love and peace in your heart.