Ok, so my last post may be confusing as I mentioned about unclutter, uncomplicated, simplistic. That used to be the name of the blog but I've decided to give it a new name, a name that means much more to me...a name that I've contemplated getting tattooed on my body for the past three years.
Makarios. That would be the greek tranliterated word for "blessed." I first came across this word in a class I took on the Sermon on the Mount my sophomore year in college. That class was life-changing. And that word has been life-changing. The blessed used here refers to the "blessed" used in the beatitudes. And I can't get away from the fact that the beatitudes need to be a foundation for my faith, and yet I am so bad at living them out.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons {and daughters} of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Right now I am so not satisfied, so it looks like I need to be hungering and thirsting for righteousness. This is so difficult for me. And yet I know its true. I've been struggling with contentment as I'm in a new place, experiencing weird transitions, and trying to find community. And yet when I truly desire God, when I can feel that hungering and thirsting, I am so much more satisfied. Case in point, I need to practice what I preach more.
May the God of peace, who graciously allows us to be his sons and daughters, regardless of how great we are at being his peacemakers, continually grant us the ability to learn to live out these blessings each and every day.
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