Loving God, I thank You for the uniqueness of this dear reader; may they never lose sight of how important they are to You and how valuable they are to each of us; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 5: 1 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 2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "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. 5 "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. 6 "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. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "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. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "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. 12 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. (The Message)
In this modern version of this famous passage, we seen modern day applications to Jesus' timeless words: when we're at the end of our rope, the less there is of us, meaning our not giving up but not giving in to excessive worry, the more there is of God. During our times of loss, God's embrace see us through. A rich blessing is ours when we discover that God made us unique and our uniqueness matters just as we are. As we live life we discover that an appetite for God helps us know the goodness of God and we can find satisfaction for life in God. When we care for others, we discover that God has been caring for us. What a blessing to get our spirit and soul right with God and that helps us learn to cooperate with others; it's then that we discover we're all related, we're all part of God's family.
Dear reader, hear this as God's message for you and how important you are to Him. Do not let persecution or worries, in whatever forms they may take (loss of income, employment, relationship worries, etc.) veer you off God's path or out of God's family. God is on your side!
PRAYER: Loving God, I know this message was meant for me at a time such as this. Help me to claim this for my life. May I walk forward towards and with You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
