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.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted. - Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth. - Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied. - Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy. - Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God. - Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God. - 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!