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.
You are blessed. You really are. . . it may not always feel like it but it's true!
How can I be blessed in these situations, Lord, we often wonder?
When I'm overwhelmed, lost and wandering, dissatisfied with myself and my life, hungry for something that actually fills, in the middle of conflict, being attacked from all sides and dishonored. . . how can I be blessed in the midst of all of that?
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| Hanging by a Thread |
I took this picture last week while walking Martin Luther on the bike trail. At first I walked right past this leaf that was hanging by a thread right in front of my face, so about 6 feet off the ground, suspended by a spider's silken strand. I got three steps away from it and did a double take. . . then I headed back, got my phone out and took this picture. It looks like it's just above the ground, but that's just the perspective of the shot. If you look very closely you can see the tiniest thread holding that leaf up in the air, keeping it from falling to the ground below.
Ever feel like this some days? Like you are just hanging by the tiniest thread? Rushed, anxious, worried, overwhelmed, sad, distraught, lacking hope? Like at any moment a whipping wind will come along and blow you down, beat you up and swirl you around? Jesus' words to the gathered crowd give us comfort in these kind of moments/days/weeks/months! Even years!
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
Sometimes I have to remember this. . . in those difficult times when I want to hang on for dear life, to rely on my brute strength (which isn't always that strong), when I want to chastise myself for being weak or inept or lost or sinful. . . I try to let God take over, to let God be the one who is hanging on to me rather than me doing the work; in those moments I feel my hands burn against the proverbial rope, arms getting fatigued and shaking, sweat pouring down my back in that kind of hanging on! I have to remember and repeat to myself, saying a prayer to Christ:
"Your grace is sufficient for me."
"You are enough for me."
"You are everything, Lord, fill me up in those places where no one and nothing can make a difference!"
May your day be filled with hope and mercy and may you remember that God is always hanging on to you, especially when you feel like you can no longer hang on! This is when God will fulfill your deepest needs! Amen.
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