Do you want to be blessed?

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “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. “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. “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. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. “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. “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. (Matthew 5:3-10 MSG)

When someone says, “God bless you,” what does that mean? Do I really want God’s blessings?

In this passage from the sermon on the mount, Jesus offers eight ways to be blessed. On the one hand, I can strive to be blessed in the ways he suggests. On the other hand, Jesus is saying he can bless my life in so many different ways, that he is the author and giver of blessings in my life.

If you ask the world what it means to be blessed, the answers revolve around what see on the outside: hard work, merit, possessions and achievement. Jesus looks at what we are on the inside to determine blessing. This inside-out approach calls me to give myself up, to be content in who I am in my circumstances; not to wish or cry for more of what the world seeks as blessing.We hear people petition God, “Oh Lord, I need a car, a mate, a baby, or anything else that satisfies in this life.” Such cries don’t understand what Jesus is saying in this passage.

Jesus says when I’m at the end of my rope I’ll find him. When I’ve got my inside world–my heart and mind–straight, I can see what he’s doing in the outside world. When I’m content just the way things are, I’ll find what I’m looking for. When I turn my appetites toward him and start caring for others, then I’ll find myself cared for.

With Jesus it’s always Opposites Day. Whatever ways the world thinks will work actually works the exact opposite. Do you want to succeed? Be humble, not proud. Do you want someone to care for you? Don’t demand it, care for them first. Do you want to be a leader? Show others how to cooperate not compete with each other. Do you want to know God more? Join him in his suffering instead of seeking comfort.

The bottom line is I am already blessed by God. I just need to get my inside world straight so I can be content with that.

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