Blessed!

Have you ever used a word in casual conversation without really thinking about its meaning?  And, has that same word ever come back to “smack you in the face” later on when you were faced with it in a different context and forced to consider its real meaning?  That happens to me sometimes.  In fact, it just happened to me this past weekend.

Consider the word “blessed.”  How many times have you heard someone on an awards show or at a ball game or in a contest say something like, “I’m just so blessed to be here.”  Or, how often have you said to someone “be blessed” as you were saying goodbye? 

That word – blessed – is thrown around a lot without really thinking about its true meaning. Many times, it’s used to convey a general sense of well-being. In fact, it’s often used as a Christian substitute for the word “lucky.”  If someone wins the lottery, you might say to them, “Wow!  You’re so blessed!” when what you’re really thinking is “You are one lucky dog!”  You know it’s the truth!

This past Sunday, our pastor preached from Matthew 5.  There’s so much good stuff in that passage of scripture, but the thing that has stuck with me – the truth that I just can’t get away from – is the definition that he gave for the word “blessed.”  Blessed means “to be utterly and completely approved of by God.”  Full stop.  That concept just blows me away…

Think about that in the context of Matthew 5:3-10:

The poor in spirit are utterly and completely approved of by God - theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Those who mourn are utterly and completely approved of by God - they will be comforted.
The meek are utterly and completely approved of by God - they will inherit the earth.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are utterly and completely approved of by God - they will be filled.
The merciful are utterly and completely approved of by God – they will be shown mercy.
The pure in heart are utterly and completely approved of by God – they will see Him face to face.
The peacemakers are utterly and completely approved of by God – they will be called sons of God.
Those who are persecuted because of righteousness are utterly and completely approved of by God - theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Understanding what it means to be blessed – truly blessed – to be utterly and completely approved of by God - is powerful.  This kind of blessing is an outward sign of the perfect, unconditional love of God – the kind of love that casts out fear – the kind of love that produces perfect peace – the kind of love that brings comfort and offers contentment.

Now that I understand what it means to be blessed, I’m not going to be so casual in my use of the word.  I want to use it intentionally so that its true meaning can be understood and not watered down.  I want to use it in such a way that the people around me who are crying out in desperation – longing for love and acceptance and forgiveness – will understand that they too can be blessed…