Have you ever wondered what people mean when referring to someone as 'blessed'? Sometimes I will hear a comment like, "I was so blessed by his kindness," or "I pray you are blessed by this gift." I generally hear phrases like these from my Christian friends, those who care about me and want what is best for me. In the Beatitudes we witness these words, these wishes of blessings, from Jesus.
The word blessed means more than happy. Happiness is an emotion and depends on outward happenings, on other people's behavior. Happiness is fleeting and often momentary. Blessed refers to ultimate well-being and the spiritual joy that comes only from following the Savior, Jesus. These eight beatitudes reflect the practices of one who follows Jesus.
I like to look at this text as a list of things to practice every day; a list of character traits to live out. Perhaps calling the list 'be'-attitudes can help us to understand more fully. I need to be...mournful, humble, meek, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker. I must learn to make my attitude one that exudes these qualities - hence, be-attitudes.
I am blessed by the fellowship of body of believers when they come together and love and support one another. This blessing is a spiritual joy that warms the heart and fills all the voids life leaves in its wake; it has nothing to do with momentary happiness and everything to do with being Jesus to each other.
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