Blessed

Blessed

I love the word “blessed” - if I was asked what word I’d like to be described by, it would be “blessed”.

Don’t get me wrong, I want and hope to be happy and healthy and successful in what I do. I want to be liked and friendly, to be useful, to be wise, to be dependable and so on (fill in your own blanks) but being blessed is something else altogether. For me, it’s more than simply being happy although that can be part of it. I’d dare to say that it’s not about avoiding the troubles that this life can bring (but that can be a part of it too).

For me, it’s about knowing that I'm loved by God, the Lord Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, and that he has looked on small, insignificant me and stooped down to pick me up, turn me around and set me on a path that leads to eternity with him. It’s about knowing that God gave his own son, Jesus, his very best, to allow this to happen and that he was prepared to suffer for me. And that he’s given a helper, his Holy Spirit, to help us through this life.

It’s a state of mind and heart that emanates peace… that acceptance that in the end all will be well... whatever the circumstances, even when life is tough or is not going as hoped or expected, or when everything feels as if it is spinning out of control, it’s that sense that everything is going to be OK. It recognises the gifts that each day brings… new opportunities to serve and new mercies every morning. It’s about knowing that he has uniquely made me and gifted me…that he has a purpose for me, as he does for you. It’s about knowing that he’s not leaving me as I am - he is shaping me… painful as that might be at times.

And just to emphasise… this blessing comes from God - it doesn’t depend on the approval of others, it doesn’t depend on my circumstances and I can’t make myself blessed. Reading Psalm 84, it simply needs me to be close to God’s altar, dwelling in his presence and depending on his strength… perhaps, easier said than done.

 

“The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-27

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