I’m mixing up the order of the Beatitudes just a bit this week because number six fit my Sunday Sabbath Offerings post better. Before we dig into the Beatitude, here are two questions for you.
What does your inside world look like right now? How do you align your heart and mind with God’s call to build His kingdom?
Winter time traditionally keeps me indoors for what feels like months at a time. The weather here usually brings many cold days along with gray skies as far as you can see. This winter has still created many gray days, but the temperatures overall have been warmer. As much as I love the outdoors, I have not been able to go out and enjoy the days like I desire. My inside world is out of sync with my heart for the outside world due to a number of barriers. When our bodies are out of alignment for any reason, it affects our perspective of everything else we normally focus on. There is a disconnect that causes a skewed view of how we approach each day.
[Tweet “God’s rhythms create an alignment of our hearts and mind with God’s call to build His kingdom.”]
God created us in a way to use our gifts to honor Him. When we are out of sync in anyway, things do not feel right with our world. God’s gentle rhythms teach us to breathe in and out in harmony with Him. Deep breaths that point us to His grace when we make mistakes or show us love when we feel like we are not enough. Turning to Him first in our struggles will help us to balance our inside world of our heart and mind with the outside world God wants to grow by sharing who He is with all.
I love this sixth beatitude. It tells us…
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 MSG
So how do we get our inside world just right? I have no answers but I have God and He loves to set me straight when life is overwhelming, messy and out of sync. How about you?
God’s truth points me in the right direction. His words balance any misalignment between my heart and mind and what God cherishes about me. When I am pulled between doing what is right or the easy way out, God never fails to show me who He is and how He loves me. He is present in the people around me, my neighborhood and the world I see right outside my door.
God is teaching me by:
Pointing me to what is important.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Affirming the work is hard but faithfulness is the result.
Test me, Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:2-3
Showing me the truth is in His Word.
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:18-19
God blesses us when we get our inside world just right. May He teach you to breathe in sync with Him and align your inside world with His outside world. Hold these words close as you begin your week.
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT
Blessings,
Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” I love how one scripture builds upon another, correcting, guiding, giving light to His instruction and promises. I love how you ended your post, Mary. The peace that passes all understanding. The peace that only He can give. Amen. Such a beautiful word today, friend. Thank you.
There is such a beautiful connection between the truth in God’s word. It feels like a present when I discover this as I am reading Scripture. May we not only seek God’s peace but embrace the gift of peace that He loves to share. Blessings on your week.
This is just lovely Mary. I keep enjoying how you have chosen the Msg version of the beatitudes too. I learn something new every time I come here. And feel refreshed. What comes to mind for me is how the outside world of nature is what realigns me. I think that is why I like photography so much. Even if cannot be outside physically, a picture of a breathing space, of a landscape can realign me even when surrounded by the mess of my office. My hope is that others can also feel that peace by breathing spaces images. God sure gave us everything we need “to breathe in sync with Him” didn’t He?
Thank you Lynn! I am finding the Message version speaks to me right where I am at currently. It is opening my eyes to look at blessings in a different way.
You and I are connected in our love of nature. I also love to take pictures and capture something that a minute before I might not have noticed. I’m glad you keep pictures around you to remind you to breathe. I keep a table in my living room that has special art and pictures that do the same thing. Have an amazing week!
THIS: “When I am pulled between doing what is right or the easy way out, God never fails to show me who He is and how He loves me. He is present in the people around me, my neighborhood and the world I see right outside my door.” Love this!
Isn’t God good to show us himself in the people around us? There is nothing like looking up and seeing God in all that is around you. Have a wonderful week.
Hi Mary! Creating that balance of outside and inside self is a life-long work.
I know what you mean about being a bit isolated in the cold days of winter. And isn’t it interesting that you used the word ‘rhythm’ this week too. (I did too.) I was just thinking this week how I need to get back to weekly little dates with my friends. Working on friendship is work sometimes, but always worth the effort.
Blessings of peace and joy to you,
Ceil
It is a life-long work and somedays I am better at it than others. Rhythm is a word that says os much to me. It speaks of the ebb and flow that makes up life. I believe that God moves with us even when life is rather choppy instead of gentle. I pray you find your rhythm this week as you seek God and seek to meet with friends. Thanks for being here.
Those of us who write spend a fair amount of time thinking about how we will present what we know — what the Lord is teaching us and what He’s doing in our hearts — in words and images. This Beatitude drives home the ever-needed truth that until we have the interior landscape aligned with that Truth, the conversation belongs inward, private, and in the holy spaces of prayer and reflection.
What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Amen to your wisdom. I spend a lot of time looking inward not just because I am a writer but because that is where I find God meets me to teach me. I pray a lot before I ever hit publish. I want my words to reflect God and spending time in private in prayer is the best place to be. May all of our words have time in prayer and reflection before they are sent to the world. God will take care of the rest.
Mary,
These past 3 weeks have really been trying for me. First the flu, then bronchitis on top of the flu, then still not feeling well….I have literally slogged through these weeks. I have felt out of sync with God, my surroundings, my heart…you name it. Sometimes, I believe that when I am that out of sync and exhausted, God is not whispering…He’s yelling, “Rest” “Be Still” you don’t have to be in “go” mode all the time. Why does it take Him yanking the rug out from under me to get me to just be still in His presence. If you have any answers…I’m open. When will I ever learn??
Blessings and here’s to more days to get outside!!
Bev xo
I understand about hard weeks but mine were not from being sick. I pray you are finally feeling better. Sometimes it seems we need more than a whisper for us to hear God. I know I am guilty of not hearing Him the first time. I am learning right along with you. Glad we are working on figuring this out together friend!