Blessed

The term 'blessed' is one seldom used in the book of Matthew (where we will be looking into the Beatitudes this coming week).  As I look at this word in New Testament usage I am reminded of the vast difference between the word we use today.  If someone today says "I'm blessed" they usually mean that they are in a good financial or life situation where they have lots of creature comforts.  They have plenty of food, time for recreation, a solid bank account and a good house.  When we think of blessed I believe we most often think of material possessions.What does Matthew, writing to the Jews of his day say?
The poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted are "the blessed."  Why is our list so different from the list Jesus talks about?
I think that it is because our values are upside down.  Jesus is constantly trying to turn our messed-up values, our self-focused lives, our quest for comfort and our lives in the direction of the cross.  The cross is God-centered and selfless.  The cross seeks God's plan instead of my plan.  The cross calls us to believe in blessings beyond our vision.  It is living other-worldly in this place of our sojourn.
So we sometimes take the hard road that isn't easiest for us because we pray we are making the right decision for our church. We are persecuted and insulted because we upset the status quo.  We are seemingly in a no-win situation until we remember that only one scorecard counts ... God's.
Today you will be faced with decisions.  Such is life.  Pray.  Listen.  Discern.  Invite God into your decision and be attentive to the fullness of His Word.  Then, do what is consistent with where God always leads us ... to His place.  You may feel poor in spirit, meek, and you might need to mourn loss of one thing so you can rejoice in the newness of God's plan.  You will probably be persecuted and rattled by the act of trying to bring peace to your situation.  But deal with life by being merciful to those who love you and those who curse you.  It is life in the Kingdom and in the end, Jesus is more than sufficient to lead you forward.  Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!