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 'care-full,' 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."(Gospel of Matthew, The Message)
2 comments:
To be very frank, I've read only the Revelations from the Bible properly. Wouldn't've thought that stuff in there could have such relevance. I guess that's why it's the world's bestseller among books.
I guess you're very devout. I find that curiously...reassuring. Myself not being exactly an aethist (though that's quite fashionable among the intellectual crowd here) but rather too fickle-minded to conform to any doctrine.
Anyway, I generally provoke persecution (quite well-deserved to be honest) by being categorically and bitingly scathing to all and sundry present. If heaven applauds me then...hey, I'm a believer!! Yippee!!
Blessing and devotion.
My Hindi teacher {who I am sure has come up in a few of my rambles} said to us one day:
"When you love another human. It is just Love.
When you do the same with God, it's Devotion.
As simple as that."
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