Tilted World

Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

Am I a part of a Kingdom-Focused church which cares about others? Too often I think of myself as poor. After all, I must budget for every little 'extra' thing I want to have. But, in fact, I am rich beyond measure. My bills are paid, there is food on my table, I have friends in my life, I am healthy...

Life in this 'upside down world' (as Elaine put it yesterday), is just that. Upside down. I have a friend who has such compassion for homeless folks that she befriends them, watches for them and then shares with them. I can't say that. For some reason, she has courage to come alongside others who are in need. I profess to care, but don't have that kind of pluck. I feel for them, but don't hold out a hand.

I am starting to recognize that happiness isn't based on what I have or can accomplish for myself. Happiness is something that bubbles up from inside and erupts in the form of love and caring for someone else. It really isn't all about me. Until we can turn this world back right-side up, it should be all about those who don't know Jesus. I must take my focus off me and put it on others. 

Luke 6:20-23