I AM BLESSED
Jesus said:
“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 dearest 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 ‘care-full,’ 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. “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. Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning
that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how
will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the
garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out
the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public
with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you
don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a
light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll
prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Here’s
another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’
Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at
all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you
into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and
make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the
occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live
generously. You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and
its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling
you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.
When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for
then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is
what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to
everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is
love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say
hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner
does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your
God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God
lives toward you. ” -(Mathew 5:1-16 )
“Count yourself
blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone
smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth
is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad
when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t
like it, I do. . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in
good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this. - (Luke
6:22-23)
-The Message
Bible (MSG)
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