I’ve wondered for a long time what it means to be blessed. Then I looked up the word “blessed” in the dictionary, and it means holy/consecrated. Consecrated means sacred and sacred means connected with God.
The other dilemma I had was the beatitudes show a different version of what people in the church call “being blessed”.
I think that Jesus turned the world on its head, but nobody is listening!
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. The interpretation in the message is “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you, there is more of God”.
It makes you think doesn’t it? Those who bandy around the word “blessed” all the time need to rethink it. Nowhere does it say that having a new car and a wonderful life makes you blessed, because do those things really make you holy and connected to God?
Me thinks not, sometimes when we are at our very lowest ebb, and we’ve lost everything we feel the very presence of our Divine saviour!
So let’s read further….
“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted”. That has been a hard one to comprehend, but when you see the true meaning of being blessed maybe it brings more understanding. The message says “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”.
Being blessed doesn’t necessarily mean we feel good. We feel ripped to the core of our being when we lose someone we love. The amazing thing that we can know is that when we mourn we will be comforted and so connected to the Divine!
So my question really is “do material possessions bring us closer to God”? When you have a trouble free life, are you blessed?
I think the church would do well to rather say (when things go right for them) that they feel content which means satisfied or pleased or to really examine if a good life makes you closer to the divine?
My favourite one is “blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”. There are many interpretations out there and the message says “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”.
Meek means to be quiet, gentle and easily imposed on. In reality can you see the meek inheriting the Earth? All around us are smug opportunists, platform builders and rich dudes who walk all over people and it looks like they are inheriting the earth!
However, I’m looking forward to that day when the meek inherit the earth!
Do me a favour and look up the word “blessed” in your concordance. You will find blessing comes from trusting God and walking in His ways. Sometimes it means being persecuted, feeling sad and being spiritually poor.
So if you hear me say “I’m blessed”, it could be that I have completely fallen apart and reached rock bottom and maybe just maybe got connected to the divine.
AllysoAlly 