Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:3-4)
A lot has been written about self development.
The question of identity is a good basis to go about building something with whatever you’ve got. There’s a lot of stuff that people have to offer to help with that construction project. Before long there’s a lot of ‘nice’ words about your inner being, your state of mind, visualisation and all of that to be able to construct the ideal you. In touch with your emotions, in tune with your inner chi, at one with the world around you and enriched by mother nature. You’re not perfect, but you’re on your way and nothing will stop you.
Do Jesus’ words about the blessed have any impact in the midst of all of this? Do they even make sense?
Even in the church, called to follow in the way of the Master, these words appear a little jarring. These words of Jesus are not about who we were, it’s about a recognition of who we are without God and how every day starts with that recognition. These words reflect what the state that we’re in, but do we acknowledge that? Is this where we start with our journey with Jesus?
Or do we start with no reason to think we’re poor in spirit? Do we have a lot going for us anyway and those words are alien to us? Do we not consider anything worth the mourning? Are we so hung up with the desire to be happy that we don’t see the understandable reason to mourn?
Do these words have meaning to us today?
Oh, you were expecting me to answer the questions now?
Oh.
(Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 