Be Blessed!

Be Blessed!
Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he 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 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.
“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.

First this word blessed implies a situation in which we are blessed, not necessarily happy. The opposite of happy is unhappy. The opposite of blessed is cursed. I will never forget the sight of the town of Korazim near the Sea of Galilee. Jesus cursed this town. Today, nothing there speaks of life except the thorn tree or Jesus tree as is called. All else is ruble. The position of being cursed is a terrible fate. It is clear from the teachings of Christ that you can be in all kinds of terrible circumstances, which are not your fate, and still be blessed or happy.
People say, “Oh, if I could just change my circumstances, then I would be happy.” But rarely does it work. “Oh, if I could just change my spouse, then I would be happy.” “Oh, if I could just lose a few pounds . . .” “Oh, if I could just retire . . .”
The list goes on and on. But the happiness that Jesus was describing is not dependent on outer circumstances. "Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . Blessed are those who mourn . . .” Standing before the grave of a loved one is not the time for jumping up and down screaming with delight. But you can still be blessed, says Jesus…bless your heart.
I remember Steve, who was a member of a previous church. He developed a severe illness and by the end of his short life could not move himself. One of the last communications I had from Steve was a thank you note penned by his sister but spoken to her by him. He expressed such gratitude to his church, to God, and hope about our future meetings together. He felt blessed even though by most standards his circumstances were unbearable.