That’s what we can expect when we choose to live God’s way: supreme blessedness. Jesus made that clear in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). You’ll remember he began with eight statements of blessing called beatitudes.
One example:
In other words, profound joy comes to those who humbly depend on God, as they avail themselves of his heavenly kingdom-benefits.
Of course, there are many other attitudes and actions he rewards, in addition to those eight Jesus named.
Below are listed several means to blessedness that have come to my attention over the years. Perhaps you’ve experienced them too:
Blessed are the risk-takers, for they shall sail on winds of faith.
“A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for” (Grace Murray Hopper).
Think of Abraham.
“By faith Abraham…obeyed and went,
even though he did not know where he was going.”
–Hebrews 11:8
We too have to be willing to travel blind toward undisclosed destinations. Otherwise we’ll never experience the thrill of God’s power taking us to ports we’ve never dreamed of.
The way ahead is always hidden, sometimes causing uncertainty. But! We know the One who’s leading. Uncertainty does not have to cancel out confidence.
Blessed are those who seek God’s desires, for they shall know delight and fulfillment.
Somehow we think the pursuit of our own desires will bring satisfaction. But haven’t we seen enough of the rich and powerful crash and burn in despair? “Everything [is] meaningless; a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
How much better off we are to pray along with the psalmist:
It is in the practice of obedience we learn its precious worth.
Blessed are the encouragers for they shall be encouraged.
Such an interesting phenomenon: make the effort to lift someone else’s spirit, and you find your own spirit uplifted. Actually, wise King Solomon recorded this be-attitude long ago:
Guaranteed double pleasure. How’s that for supreme blessing?
Blessed are the sifters of thoughts, for they enjoy golden contemplations.
If we’re not careful, our minds can easily gravitate toward dross thoughts–the negative, unwholesome, and ugly. It takes effort to seek out the gold: the honorable, lovely, and commendable. But true contentment awaits those who do.
Blessed are the focused for they shall not spread themselves too thin.
Our bodies were made for a rhythm of rest—7 to 8 hours out of every 24. Short-changing sleep actually lowers our productivity and endangers our health (1).
That’s why:
We just can’t do it all, much as we’d like to. Priorities and parameters must be set. That means, saying no to some good things may be the best choice. We must give others permission to do the same also.
Blessed are those who pay attention to the ordinary, for they discover the extraordinary.
For example:
- Icicle sentries in winter, clinging to the seat of a deck chair
- Wildflowers in springtime, cupping tiny pink and yellow stars
- Sunbeams on a summer morning, filtering into the glen
- God’s artistry (and penchant for color!) splashed on autumn leaves
Each eye-catching display is a precious love-gift from our Heavenly Father. And around us are countless more, waiting to be discovered, savored, and praised.
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.”
–Psalm 145:3
And there you have six more beatitudes–examples of God’s supreme blessedness lavished upon us–when we choose to live by his wise and loving ways.
What be-attitude would you add? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Note:
1) https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/tired-at-work#1 and https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20170209/skimp-on-sleep-and-you-just-may-wind-up-sick#1
(Art & photo credits: http://www.canva.com; http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.canva.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.libreshot.com; Nancy Ruegg (3); http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.canva.com.)
From the Inside Out 