Month: October 2018

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.—Matthew 5:10

This is the eighth Beatitude. It’s different. 

I can understand the attitude of humility that comes with being poor in spirit. I recognize the need for mourning over sin. Gentleness, mercy and peacemaking are clearly characteristics worth pursuing. We should all be pure in heart with a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

But, blessed are those who have been persecuted? What do we even do with this verse?

It’s a verse that must have meant the world to the early church. It’s a verse our brothers and sisters across the world live out every day.

But for those of us who sit in padded pews or stop by the church coffee shop, what do we do with these words of Jesus?

Do we feel guilty for not enduring the same hardship? Do we seek out situations to suffer for His sake? How does this verse connect with our lives?

It was just a few weeks ago that Hurricane Michael sent many scrambling. Trees fell, houses crumbled, lives were changed for farmers and families. During the first few days of the coverage, the pictures and videos were all the same. Destruction.

But, then the story began to change. Restoration and Rebuilding.

Teams of people from all over the country stepped in to serve, and the stories began to shift. I’m especially proud of how the Christian community steps in during these times of need. 

Some suffer. Some serve.

But, my guess is that the news will shift to something else before all the rebuilding is completed. Coverage always ends before construction.

Maybe, that’s a way to understand this passage.

Some suffer. Some serve.

We have brothers and sisters in the faith who suffer each day for their faith. Some suffer. 

As believers, we have the opportunity to pray, to give, and perhaps even go to be an encouragement to believers born into more difficult circumstances than our own. Some serve.

But, in order to serve, we have to see. The Voice of the Martyrs offers a free app with daily updates on persecuted peoples and countries along with a way to pray.

If we don’t suffer, we serve. Find a way to pray, give or go.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.—Matthew 5:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s October, and there’s plenty to look forward to. Fall weather, flannel and familiar flavors. That’s right. Pumpkin Spice!

Maybe it’s a recent phenomenon but I feel like the pumpkin spice people are getting pushy. It’s started off with the lattes but now they are invading every aisle in the store: muffins, donuts, cereal, candy, candles, cologne and body spray… Ok, I may have stretched it a little. But pumpkin spice is pervasive.

While pumpkin spice is everywhere you look, the same can’t be said for peace. Watch the news, scroll though Facebook, have an everyday conversation and you see it, feel it, and most likely take part in it. Anger, bitterness and conflict.

Many seem intent on division. And many more are content to avoid conflict and keep the peace. But few would be defined as peacemakers.

We either stir the pot or step out of the situation. But, if we want to live like our Savior, it means being a peacemaker.

Maybe it means sacrificing our preferences for the good of others. Maybe it means putting a stop to gossip. Maybe it means offering forgiveness. It can take a thousand different forms, but peace is needed. And Jesus calls us to make it.

I don’t know whose job it is to market this fall flavor, but they need a raise. It’s everywhere.

What if we were as determined to spread peace in our families, friendships, neighborhoods, churches and workplaces.

I could stand for a little more peace and a little less pumpkin spice. What are some steps you could take to pursue peace in your relationships?

Well, I got off track. I’d been faithful to post once a week, but a busy weekend got the best of me. Our student ministry took a trip to raft the Chattahoochee. It was an incredible trip. We rafted a class five rapid. We zip lined from Georgia to Alabama,. We took time to worship with one another.

To be gut honest with you, it was much easier to be purely in the moment when rafting and zipping than during worship. We had a great speaker, an amazing worship leader, and a pretty awesome set-up. At the same time, there was a party going on in the street below, my shoes were wet from the water, and I couldn’t help running through the weekend schedule and to do list in my mind.

I want to see God. More than anything else, I want to see God through His Word, in answer to prayer, and working in my life for the benefit of others. At the same time, being pure in heart, single-minded and focused is such a struggle. 

Why can I have pure moment rafting but skimp on time that could be spent savoring the Savior?

Let’s go back to the boat. First of all, there’s no escape. We are in the boat for better or worse. Second, I’m not alone. There’s six of us paddling together in unison. Without working together, we are bound to fail. Third, there is a clear situation calling for my attention. 

Perhaps if I saw my everyday life the same way, I would experience more pure moments with my Master. Maybe if I was aware of the potential dangers and pitfalls, I’d be persistent in prayer. Maybe if I more closely walked with others, my worship would be more purposeful. Maybe if I set aside uninterrupted, non-negotiable time with Jesus, I’d experience more of His joy.

There’s plenty of things in life worth seeing. Let’s not miss out on seeing Jesus. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.