Growing up I sang a song in church that proclaimed the words of the Beatitudes. The words rhythmically flowed as each line began with “Blessed are you”. As I sang the words, peace seemed to enter reassuring me that I somehow could live out these words in my own life.
As time moved on, I no longer sing the words of the Beatitudes, but have read them in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. I read through them again recently and this time chose the Message version for the translation. I love the description of the Beatitudes in the Message version, but also the practical advice that accompanies each one.
For the next few weeks, I am challenging myself to not only read the Beatitudes, but apply them and see how I can live them in my own life. I hope you’ll join me on this journey and work on discovering how the Beatitudes can lead us closer to Christ.
The Message tells us in Matthew 5, “you’re blessed when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”
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Those powerful words convict me that I’m really not all that and a bag of chips as the saying goes. There are days that less of me feels like an impossibility as I furiously work toward accomplishing all my agenda tells me to complete. I crave more of “me” and the accolades that accompany the finished products. I gain nothing in the process but a big head and a fleeting feeling of pride.
On the days where I foolishly fill myself with the empty promises of the world, I find little joy and less satisfaction. Too many days like this become oddly overwhelming as I look for deeper satisfaction and come up empty each time. It sounds ironic to believe that less of you will give you more of God. But when Jesus lived on Earth, He chose to kneel rather than place Himself above anyone else. Jesus modeled humility instead of proudly proclaiming HIs miracles to all. He did not want attention brought to Himself but chose to tell the crowd “don’t tell anyone what I have just done.” Do you believe it is possible to become less so Jesus is more?
This first beatitude is teaching me …
I experience God best when my agenda becomes His instead of mine.
When I intentionally plan my time around God and center my day around Him, I find peace. The stress of trying to accomplish more dissipates because I made room for God to lead me.
Letting go of the loud voices of the world feels good because I lack all control in this arena. Knowing that God is sovereign allows me to function on the days I just want to throw in the towel.
When we are at the end of our rope, God is there to catch us. We are blessed because we let go and let God. He is capable when life tries to control us and says we can’t possibly complete our tasks. God is the blessing at the end of the rope and falling into His arms is the landing that provides safety, comfort and the “enough” to match our “not enough”.
How can you let go of the rope today, believing that you will fall into God’s arms?
Sabbath blessings,
I am so looking forward to this series Mary! You are such a gifted writer and your words bless me, more than you could ever know.
Thank you for these sweet words. You bless me every time you stop by! Hugs!
I hadn’t read The Message version of the Beatitudes. Thanks Mary for introducing it to me. I know my agenda has increased lately as I work toward new goals and when I get in the ‘zone’ of task completion, I can sure get tied into the task, tighter and tighter, ignoring what is around me, even my daughter. Yes, letting go of control…it is something I will be praying into today!
I love the Message version of the beatitudes for it’s language and way of providing a picture of what it looks like that we can relate to. I also know what it’s like to go full speed ahead on projects at the detriment of other things in life that are important to focus on. Praying you learn how letting go will actually provide you with exactly what you need to balance your new goals and family.
I love this, Mary. How true that when there is less of us, there is more room for God and His rule. This especially touches my heart – “God is the blessing at the end of the rope and falling into His arms is the landing that provides safety, comfort and the “enough” to match our “not enough”.” Such a picture of trust, isn’t it? I keep wanting to hang onto the rope, no matter how painful my hands are and weary my body is. But what a blessing when we can let go and believe God will catch us! Thank you so much for this encouraging reminder today. Have a blessed week! Hugs!
I am able to write about trust easier than always displaying it in my own life. God is patient and good to show me again and again if needed. Isn’t the picture of God catching us just the best? That is one that I can easily wrap my head around. You are such an encouragement to me. Thank you for always speaking truth here and showing me love.
The timing on this is exquisite, Mary, as I have been studying the Sermon on the Mount in recent months on Wednesday evenings as a Bible Study.
I just know you’re going to speak into my life on this important passage, friend. I’m anticipating your Spirit-driven insight to be icing on the cake …
You are too kind. I do love the God connection that we continue to have my friend! I am praying that God speaks words that we all need.
We’re all blessed for we have a generous, selfless and loving God.
Amen. Praying you have a wonderful week Lux!
Mary,
Why do I have to get to the end of my rope before I finally turn it over to God? So thankful the everlasting arms are there to catch me. Looking forward to the series!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
That is the same question I ask too. I love that even when we feel like we are freefalling, God is always there to catch us. Blessings my friend!
So true… the best we can experience in the Lord is always found when we let go and just trust Him. I love the Beatitudes and will look forward to what the Lord lays on your heart about them 🙂
I am praying that God teaches us all through these words. Thank you for being here and joining me as we go deeper into the beatitudes.
I am so looking forward to the rest of this series. It’s been a while since I spent time pondering these beautiful words from Jesus about His Kingdom.
Thank you Michele! I pray that this series is a journey of going deeper for all of us. Blessings!
Such a great lesson, Mary! One we often have to experience in all its fullness before we really learn what it has to teach us. Thankfully, as you’ve shared, God meets us there, at the end of our rope. Amen! Sabbath blessings, my friend. I love spending part of my Sunday with you 🙂
I’m so glad you stopped by to hang out here for a bit. God has so many lessons that he continues to teach me and he has the patience to do it over when I don’t get it the first time. I love knowing that God is willing to catch me each and every time I find myself falling. Thank you for being here.
THIS: “Letting go of the loud voices of the world feels good because I lack all control in this arena. Knowing that God is sovereign allows me to function on the days I just want to throw in the towel.” I love the beatitudes especially the message version.
Me too. I love the lessons in the beatitudes and I can’t wait to dig in more.