Backward Blessing

I am preaching this week from Luke chapter 6:17-28.  It is Luke’s version of the b-attitudes. . .blessed are you when _________ . . . Matthew spiritualizes these things, but Luke keeps them as Physical.  For instance in the first one Luke says “blessed are the poor” Matthew adds “In spirit”.  Both of course are true in their own unique way.

In a world where many Christians think God is all about making the “american dream” a reality, Christ’s words are almost completely lost.  In fact, if you were to recount your blessings in life I am guessing your list of blessings would be on Jesus’ list of  WOES!!  Me too!  It is crazy how backward we can get life.  For some reason we are pulled away from God’s dreams for us into our cultures dreams.  And we wonder why so many of us are dissatisfied.  Only one in 3 Americans say they are “happy”.  Yet, in Mexico (a third world country) where I just returned from a mission trip greater than 2 out of 3 say they are happy.  Maybe there is more to these words than we realize.

A few things to think about:

Is it things or relationships that bring greatest joy? – In marriage, most couples look back to the time before they had the house and the two cars as the time when they were the happiest. . .

Is it better to be well liked and blend in or to stand up for truth?  – Though it may feel good in the short term to not rock the boat, at some point you will look back on your life and judge it based on the good you did amidst the challenges you faced.

Is it better to embrace challenge and suffering now or to pretend like earth is as good as it gets?  – most of us try to make earth into heaven and wonder why we struggle to find hope amidst all the challenges we face.

~ by pastormc on April 23, 2009.