Have you ever seen the hashtag #blessed?  It’s all over social media.  I have a great family – #blessed.  I just got the house of my dreams – #blessed.   I have met the man or the woman of my dreams – #blessed.  My spouse just got a huge promotion at work – #blessed.   Those are all wonderful things to have. 

But what happens when you look at your current circumstances and do not feel so blessed?   I know of a family where the husband and wife both lost jobs and income is scare.  I know of a family who just received an autism diagnosis for their child, and they are just beginning the journey of how to pursue his best options.  I know of a wife who got out of an abusive marriage and now can barely make ends meet.   I know of a pastor who lost his life after battling COVID-19 for a while, and now his wife finds herself alone for the for the first time in decades.  I know of a pastor’s wife who is battling breast cancer.

The above list could go on and on and on.  There is much grief, loss, and unfairness in life.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we are not inoculated against life.  Life happens.    If we are not careful, we will associate being blessed with living in comfort, disease-free, plenty in the bank, and a problem-free life.     That is a shallow view of a “blessed” life.  As a matter of fact, in Matthew 5, Jesus spoke of being blessed. 

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are they who mourn,
   for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek,
   for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they shall be satisfied.
5. Blessed are the merciful,
   for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure of heart,
   for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they shall be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These are known as The Beatitudes.   The word blessed in these statements is the word “makarios” which means satisfied and super blessed.  Yet, none of them had anything to do with material things or health issues.   In the period when Jesus was on earth, many believed that having lots of possessions showed that someone was blessed.  They thought the rich and elite were the blessed people. 

Jesus came and brought a whole different meaning to a blessed life.  It is not the elite who are blessed. It is not the rich and powerful who are blessed. It is not the high and mighty who are blessed. It is not the people living in huge mansions or expensive penthouses who are blessed. Rather, Jesus pronounces God’s blessings on the lowly: the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the meek, the mourning. Throughout the history of this word, it had always been the other people who were considered blessed: the rich, the filled up, the powerful. Jesus turns it all upside-down.

Recently I read a great thought on blessings.   It was written by JoHannah Reardon:

“So how could such things lead to happiness? It seems like they lead more to the opposite of happiness. But the Beatitudes tell us one thing clearly. We can never be happy and fulfilled because of what we have.  We may be fooled into thinking we are happy for a while, but eventually it will fold in on us because true happiness can be found only in a relationship with our God Himself. Only the One who made us knows what will truly make us happy and give us satisfaction in life. We must get to the end of ourselves and the beginning of God to gain any lasting contentment in life. And that can happen only through divine revelation and transformation through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. It’s the “pearl of great value” (Matthew 13:46), worth selling everything to gain it. And ultimately, it’s the secret to true satisfaction.”

Thank God for warm houses, nice cars, healthy families, and money in the bank. That can certainly help make life easier.  But that does not compare with being “blessed” because one has the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives.   My name is Barbara Benton and Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  #blessed! 

My husband and I served in pastoral ministry for thirty-three years.  There were certainly difficult times, but we regularly reminded ourselves that we were called by God.  Remembering why we were doing what we were doing was key to not throwing in the towel at times.    On more than one occasion I told God, “I quit!”  

It was a Sunday morning, and the building was full.  I was the worship leader and Gaylon was the preacher.  Before the service started, I walked around a very full building, greeting those who had come to worship that day.  As I approached a woman to say good morning to her, she asked if she could speak to me privately.  I only had a minute, but I obliged her request. 

“Lisa” began to tell me what was on her heart.   She said to me, “I need your forgiveness.”  My mind began to race because I did not know there was an issue between us.   “Lisa” continued, “I pay tithes to this church, and when I see the nice clothes you wear, I resent it.  It’s like I am paying for the clothes you wear.  I have a hard time making ends meet and yet you have nice clothes, a nice home, and a good husband.   Forgive me for my attitude, please.” 

I was shaken, and truthfully, I wanted to give her a piece of my mind.  Almost instantly I sensed God speaking to me, “Remember why you are here.  Did you come to worship and bring others into my presence, or did you come to argue with a woman?”

As I walked towards the platform to lead worship that day, every step was difficult.  I was a bit shaken!  I was upset! I had to push through hurt feelings and another believer to take my place as a servant of God.  I thought, “How can I possibly lead this service today?”  I felt tears were about to spill onto my face.  I kept taking steps to fulfill the call of God on my life that day.   As I walked to the front of that church, step by step I walked in divine purpose.

I stepped up to the microphone and began that worship service like all others – with a voice of praise to the One who deserves it.  As I began to worship and the people began to worship, God’s Spirit did a mighty thing in me and in that building on that day.   It was a memorable service that I can still recall many years later.

Many have walked away from God because it got hard, or people hurt them.  On a human level that is so understandable.  However, I say to you what I felt God said to me that Sunday morning, “Remember why you are here.”   Remember the Savior who died to forgive you.  Remember the God who loves you.  Remember the One who has changed your life.  Remember why you are here. 

(Just a little word of advice – if you are thinking bad thoughts about someone and you need to unload it, unload it at the foot of the cross.   Ask God’s forgiveness and invite His healing.   Do not dump it on someone else!  SELAH)

Too often we allow people to steal the freedom God has given us.  On that Sunday morning, I could have let it be about “Lisa” and what she said to me, or I could let it be about God’s purpose for my life.    Dear child of God, you are His.  He saved you on purpose and for purpose.  Don’t let anyone or anything persuade you from that!  Press through to Him! Remember why you started.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17