Beatitudes and Happiness

It's Tuesday and I'm still savoring the message we heard Sunday at our church. It was on the Beatitudes and our Happiness. Just a little recap and the way it spoke to me. I just love that saying about how God shows up. Sometimes I just get myself into the place of worship. I'm not going through the motions, but some mornings I am. Sometimes just out of sheer exhaustion from anaction packed week and weekend. Other times, I am seeking Him and thankful that He will show up. So I show up and it gets good. :) Why I am surprised, I don't know.

Here are a couple of things that just beckon me still: "Why do we try to out grow this dependency on Christ?" What a full question! Who am I to try to "out grow" my absolute need for Christ on an every day, every minute basis! This truth in question form just centered me and really completely encouraged me. All the times I think I am not enough, I cannot do it, I am so needy for Christ. Voila! That's exactly where He wants me. Calling out to Him because He is enough and can do miracles every day! He will!

The Beatitudes
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they w ill be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth.
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.


Just for the sake of the outline, here are a few things I'm focusing on. As our pastor pointed out, they're not the most popular, you won't see them on the latest "book review" titles, or are they easy truths. However, they are sound and based on the Beatitudes. So why seek happiness in another form.

"Beatitudes are the attitudes that the believer should have in his life."

1) Happiness is commitment to Christ when His will is confusing. This speaks volumes. As women don't we get confused if we can't get our way right now.

2) Happiness is the person who persists following God through pain. Ouch! Um sir, you're talking to me right here. Can I just say I'm right here right now. It's' not always fun. I mean personally I have an awesome family and am having the time of my life and am happy. Yet, there is this 'area' of a situation that God and I are wrestling it out. I pray, I give, I don't get my way. The "Pollyanna" in me, she wants rosey glow all the time. She doesn't have room for the 'pain' of waiting on God.

3) Happiness is obedience when it's obvious. Honestly, I don't have a whole lot on this one because I think I was still in awe of how that last little point number two hit home to me. I took home Obedience = Happiness. :)

4) Beg God's happiness each day! And in that 'situation' I mentioned above, I am right here begging His happiness and His strength to keep re-releasing myself to Him and trusting Him in the journey ahead.