Anchors Aweigh

 “God blesses…” Mathew 5:3

  This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus teaches us the Beatitudes.

  I asked the question…was it only yesterday? What is it about Jesus that makes Him the ideal expression of love? I awoke this morning with a chuckle because for 2000+ years, there have been countless sermons on this exact topic. It is what the Bible teaches us in its 1300 pages! It is not something I can fully answer in a brief blog! Especially since I only understand a fraction of what the love of God is in all its fullness.

  During one of the leadership videos, I learned that this and the following passages are central to the BIC faith (Be in Christ.) Being involved with leadership, it strikes me that this is an important area to implant into my thoughts, attitudes and dealings with others.

  It’s as good a place as any to start this morning.

  Smile. I don’t plan on interpreting these passages as a rule book about conduct. On my own, I could never live up to them! Perhaps that’s why Jesus starts off with blessing those who realize their need for Him because only through this need can the rest fall into place in our hearts.

  Hmmmm…this is a different sort of poverty thinking; one that has its roots firmly entrenched in humility not my wallet. But it isn’t a destitute type of poverty, it is a poverty of spirit infused with hope because I KNOW Jesus is central to what I do and say, at least when I take the time to listen. (Smile.)

  So being unsure and lacking confidence can be good things because when this happens, I turn to Jesus. That’s something I’ve never thought about before, how these are truly gifts that fuel my heart’s quest for growth and understanding.

 

  I am trying to wrap my head around the idea of how a lack of confidence has become an intrinsic part of confidence. The best way to describe it is by using the yin and yang, black and white Taoist symbol that looks like two commas intertwined. The two combined are part of a greater whole.

  One cannot exist without the other.

  Oh, I can recount many times when being confident has ended up backfiring because I was solely relying on my own abilities. Hmmm, aren’t those abilities gifts from God?  Another yin and yang.

  Be attitudes. (Oh, how I love a play on words!) Beautiful attitudes. Let’s toss the anchor of it all into the river—gratitude.

  Lord, there are days when I venture forth in confidence, sure footed and eager to do whatever task is at hand. Thank You for blessing me with this gift because at its core lay the sure knowledge that You are with me, that You have prepared me, and it’s only through You I am able to succeed. Thank You as well for experiences even when they can be tough. AMEN!