You can go on social media any day and see all the thousands of people who feel #blessed. My fear is that we have become desensitized to the word “blessed” and its meaning (and I am totally preaching to myself on this whole post!).
We’ve created a culture where we are only living blessed lives when things are going well for us. We hear people brag about being blessed with a new job, a raise, a new car, their health, perfectly toned bodies, or a beautiful view while on vacation.
Basically, what it comes down to is that we, as humans, have defined the word “blessed” to be about money or material things- health, wealth, happiness, and success. It often seems that only when we’re feeling content with our current life circumstances do we sigh and smile and say to ourselves, “I’m so blessed.”
Don’t get me wrong, these things are good! And we should be very thankful for what God has given us- for everything we have! But it’s a scary thing when we throw that word around so flippantly.
So how should we understand the meaning of the word?
Could it be that being blessed is not about our own happiness or satisfaction in life? Could it be that we are already blessed beyond our comprehension when we have just enough? Just what we need? Before the raise, before the new car, before the house, before the beautiful girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse, before the kids.
COULD IT BE THAT BEING BLESSED IS NOT ABOUT OUR OWN HAPPINESS OR SATISFACTION IN LIFE?
My question is can you still feel #blessed when you are at home living in the mundane? Or when things don’t go the way you plan? When your health fails, when you’re struggling to keep your job, when you’re just trying to make ends meet, when your marriage is in a rough spot, when you don’t get the family you’ve always dreamed of having or in the timing that you wanted.
Matthew 5:2-11 says…
And he opened his mouth and taught them saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Being blessed is a serious consideration. A blessing is God’s divine favor and protection, and we are #blessed when we are given that- in the midst of the trials, in the midst of the hurt, in the midst of the mourning, and in our pursuit of Christ.
We label our fleeting and temporary physical and material happiness as “God’s blessings” in place of his favor and protection over us. But could it be that we are blessed by simply being in God’s presence? While we can (and should) give thanks for his blessings over us, we cannot forget that He is the One Who Blesses, and He has already given us the greatest blessing we’ll ever need– himself.
What if we are most blessed when we are at rock bottom, realizing our deep need for Christ and feeling fully satisfied in Him?
My desire is that I run to and seek this rich and fulfilling blessing continually.
You never cease to ama e me, Kaitlyn. It has beta blessing to know you and Jordan. Yes, a true blessing.
Thank you Judy!! 🙂
Glad you are sharing what God has taught you despite being afraid to write publicly !
Thank you so much! Your encouragement means the world to me. 🙂
It is late and I was looking through my e-mail and I found a photo and I said that sure looks like Kaitlyn! What a pleasant surprise! May the Lord continue to bless you in many special ways as you live and write for Him!
Thank you Jean! 🙂