Blessed change
This week is on Luke 6:20-22:
I was thinking about these verses the other day, when I was reflecting on my life so far. They're from what Jesus was saying to his disciples, and there's some wisdom in them as far as how life goes when you're a Christian.
Jesus is telling them that it's awesome to be poor, or hungry, or to have a reason to be upset, or to be discriminated against for your faith. Most of us would disagree. Who wants to be poor? Who would be happy about being hungry? Who, other than fans of tear-jerkers, actually likes to be sad? And who would want to be rejected and beaten and humiliated? And yet Jesus says those are actually okay things to have happen.
Unlike most of us, Jesus has an eternal perspective. He knows that life can take a long time, and that eternal life lasts for eternity. Things change for the better. And when they do, it's worth how bad things were for how good you feel when they've changed. Is a rich man going to appreciate being rich as much as a man who has been poor appreciates it? And they say hunger is the best sauce. Has any meal ever tasted as good as a good meal eaten when ravenously hungry? We're rewarded for our patience and perseverance. It's wired into the reality God created for us.
Imagine how happy you'll be when you see lost loved ones again! Would you have been so happy if you'd never lost them? And who appreciates religious freedom more than those who have lived in oppressive countries? Jesus knows the same principle applies in those areas as it does when we're hungry and get fed. It will be worth being hungry for how good the food tastes when it comes.
If you fully grasp that your life is eternal with Jesus, how much do setbacks like hunger or poverty or persecution really affect you? Even if you die, the story is far from over. It's a setup for what is coming, not the whole story.
The best place you can be is to not have things all going the way you want them to. What is there to look forward to if you already have everything? Things can only get worse! It's wonderful to be hungry for something, even if it's something you won't see for a lifetime. Be thankful for what you don't have, because of how blessed you are to be able to appreciate the changes coming.
Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
I was thinking about these verses the other day, when I was reflecting on my life so far. They're from what Jesus was saying to his disciples, and there's some wisdom in them as far as how life goes when you're a Christian.
Jesus is telling them that it's awesome to be poor, or hungry, or to have a reason to be upset, or to be discriminated against for your faith. Most of us would disagree. Who wants to be poor? Who would be happy about being hungry? Who, other than fans of tear-jerkers, actually likes to be sad? And who would want to be rejected and beaten and humiliated? And yet Jesus says those are actually okay things to have happen.
Unlike most of us, Jesus has an eternal perspective. He knows that life can take a long time, and that eternal life lasts for eternity. Things change for the better. And when they do, it's worth how bad things were for how good you feel when they've changed. Is a rich man going to appreciate being rich as much as a man who has been poor appreciates it? And they say hunger is the best sauce. Has any meal ever tasted as good as a good meal eaten when ravenously hungry? We're rewarded for our patience and perseverance. It's wired into the reality God created for us.
Imagine how happy you'll be when you see lost loved ones again! Would you have been so happy if you'd never lost them? And who appreciates religious freedom more than those who have lived in oppressive countries? Jesus knows the same principle applies in those areas as it does when we're hungry and get fed. It will be worth being hungry for how good the food tastes when it comes.
If you fully grasp that your life is eternal with Jesus, how much do setbacks like hunger or poverty or persecution really affect you? Even if you die, the story is far from over. It's a setup for what is coming, not the whole story.
The best place you can be is to not have things all going the way you want them to. What is there to look forward to if you already have everything? Things can only get worse! It's wonderful to be hungry for something, even if it's something you won't see for a lifetime. Be thankful for what you don't have, because of how blessed you are to be able to appreciate the changes coming.
Comments
Post a Comment