Grow Better
Notes
Transcript
Bless You!
Bless You!
When someone sneezes, what do you say? “Bless you.” Or you may say, “God bless you.” It is easy to say. So easy that it has become a normal response; so normal that we may need to think if we really mean it when we say this phrase. We write, “Bless you” on sympathy cards, get well cards, as a way to encourage others, and some sign their emails with those simple words. The pagans and wiccans say “Blessed Be” as their traditional greeting. We always want God to bless those who we care about and want to be a blessing to others.
Now, try this. Say, “I am blessed!” That feels good. For some it may be hard to say. But we we are to love others as we love ourselves, then we should know that we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.
Pray and Read Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
If you focus on the subject in each of these statements, then you may think that Jesus wants us to be nothing, have nothing, and think negatively about life. However, the first adjective and the blessing that ends each statement, tells a very different way of life. The word here for “blessed” in the Greek means the same as “happy”. Some bible translations will use the word happy in the place of blessed. But how can you be happy when you are mourning or are hungry or are being persecuted?
We may understand that a person is blessed when they keep peace or offer mercy. When we do a good deed or help someone, we feel better about ourselves. Psychologist have called this a “helpers high” which is the feeling of great joy we have after doing something good. Psychology Today, a leading magazine for counselors and psychologist, also define this as Altruism. Most human beings have the innate sense of needing to help when we see others in dire situations. Think about how you feel when you drive past a car accident, or see a horrific crash in front of you. Or if you have ever voiced your concerns for justice in a situation like at a public hearing or participated in a protest. First, there may be nerves, but then there is a since of accomplishment that you have helped humanity in some big way. But how is doing any of this being meek or poor in spirit?
Again, how can we be happy about injustice or poverty? How can we be called blessed when we have needs that can’t be met? This world will not meet our needs. The altruism of others cannot save everyone from every problem. We will always have the poor among Jesus is quoted to have said. This world is broken and there will always be injustice, war, and suffering. It is a good thing we don’t belong to this world isn’t it?
For they will inherit the earth, filled with righteousness, belonging to God our father and creator; we are "they” and we are citizens not of this world but of the Kingdom of Heaven. We may suffer, see war and poverty in our time. We may hunger to see this world belonging to God and wanting to see what is right and good. We may be laughed at, hated, and “cancelled” due to our beliefs, but this world will never have a hold over us. So what are we to do while we are in this world? It is all in where you focus your strengths and needs.
Over the next few weeks I want to introduce a concept to you regarding balanced living in Christ. There are two things to understand. One, God created us to have certain needs. Humans must eat; however, we must eat the right kinds of foods to be healthy and strong. Humans must rest, actually we must sleep which shuts off our physical action and continuous thinking and working. We have responsibilities and habits that are a part of who we are and make up our attitude and personality. We are social creatures, created to have bonds with others, and especially have a connection to our Creator. God’s people have always needed a strategy for building a connection with God on a consistent basis. Boundaries have helped God’s people know what they should not do and guide them to do as they should.
Daniel, during the time of the Exile while living in Babylon, challenged the government on what he and his Hebrew friends could eat and still be healthy and strong in Daniel chapter 1. Jesus taught us how to pray and fast, and how to care for ourselves and others in what we have here and throughout the next two chapters in Matthew. Matthew chapters five through seven is Jesus had boundaries that we see throughout the Gospel texts regarding him taking time away for personal rest and prayer. The Desert Fathers and Mothers felt that a routine free of distractions from society was necessary for building a relationship with God. Their life focused on work, prayer and reading the Scripture all for the glory of God. This lifestyle gave way to the monastic community some Christians have lived since the time of our Desert Mothers and Fathers. Pachomius, who lead one of the first monastic communities, created the first standard for daily living. St. Benedict created what we now call, “The Rule of St. Benedict” which many Christians use today as a Rule of Life. The Benedictine monks is a monastic community, started and named for St. Benedict, are known for their strict living (Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality 198).
The thing that I have noticed most from the rhythm of life from monastic communities is that there always seems to be a set schedule of when things happen. When I visited the Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky, I noted their very strict schedule. They went to sleep at the same early time every night. They woke up incredibly early in the morning. They mediated, eat, and worked for a specific amount of time each day. This was during a time in my life when everything was well structured. I had a lot going on with a full-time job, two kids and a house to maintain, and going to school as a full-time seminary student. My life has really changed quite a bit since then, which was over ten years ago. However, I have found myself back in school, with a full-time church ministry, and two kids with my oldest one married and living 150 miles away, and a parsonage to clean since I can expect visitors at any time. My health is not as it once was, and my full-time job could consume all my time if it was allowed. Therefore, my main rule of life is to have structure with my time and be bold enough to have the boundaries needed to maintain this rhythm in life.
In thinking about this rhythm in life, we can use our choir as an example. Each singer follows a set of notes that are different depending on their god-given vocal range. Ken, in the back sings the bass notes. Tim sings the tenor. These amazing ladies on the second row sing alto and the ones up front sing soprano. Yet, the goal is for them all to be singing in harmony together; singing the same words in accord with one another. So when we hear their choir special, it all sounds all together and beautiful. Our life is like a choir special.
There are parts of our life that must be kept harmonious. We have a different areas of our life that we must keep in balance. There is our physical health, our mental health, our emotional health, social activity and of course, our spiritual health. You didn’t think that God only cares about your soul now do you? Your spiritual health is only one part of you. Your relationship with God can positively impact all areas of your life. God created us with this body to be taken good care of and our mind has just as much to do with our health as our bodies. Our emotional state impacts our health and our relationships with others. Yes, we do need to be growing spiritually with our Creator and acknowledge Jesus as the only way, truth and life.
To find contentment in this life, to realize your blessings and happiness, we need to have a good balance in our overall health. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can find this balance and be the best version of ourselves we can be. God wants what is best for us and has gives us all we need to survive and thrive in this broken world. We will never be perfect, we will always have to work towards this balance because we are living in a broken world with failing humanity. Yet, we are not of this world, we belong to God and God loves us. Each week we will look at each area of our life and see the blessings and help that God has for us as we follow His will and strive for holiness.
What area of your life do you think you may need to improve? Maybe you need to work on your physical or mental health? Maybe you let your emotions get the best of you sometimes? Do you need to find joy in your relationships again? Or maybe you feel like God is not with you and you are deserted in a spiritual wilderness? God is for us and wants all of us to be the best we can be.
In the name of God the Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Sustainer, Amen.