I think everyone can agree; this is a term that gets thrown around in many different ways in today’s culture. But what does it really mean when we use the phrase, “I’m blessed”? I’d say more often than not it’s related to some earthly treasure that has nothing to do with actually growing our relationship closer to Christ. Whether that be a new car, a promotion at work, a nice house or even having great friendships or having a bunch of healthy, happy kids. These are all good things, but why do we use that phrase in relation to them?
This topic has been on my mind a lot lately as it has come up in podcasts I’ve listened to, sermons I’ve heard, conversations I’ve had. When you use that phrase, really take a step back and think about why you’re using it. If it’s getting that new car because now you have a mode of transportation to give your money and serve with your time to further God’s Kingdom; if it’s getting that promotion because you’re now going to be able to have more influence on people’s lives at work in leading them towards Christ; if it’s having great friend relationships because you help each other keep your identities focused in Christ and nothing else; or if it’s having a bunch of healthy, happy kids because now there are more lives you can have a direct impact on every single day so that they grow up to be Christ-followers and servants of God… then awesome.
However, I’d argue that’s probably not typically why we’re using the phrase. What if “blessings” are actually a curse and curses can actually be blessings. What if all of the hard things we go through in life are actually the “blessings”? I know I’ve been there. I remember someone saying to us very early into Ryder’s brain tumor diagnosis about how amazing this could be. At the time, we were like… you’ve got to be crazy. But looking back at all that we’ve gone through, how much it’s strengthened our faith, how many conversations we’ve been able to have to share the gospel through it; it truly was and is amazing as God continues to work through Ryder’s story and it is a blessing that I would have never thought to ask for.
We all go through different hardships. It doesn’t matter how big or small; it matters how we respond to them. Can we have good, earthly blessings that are not hardships that bring us closer to Christ? 100%. I would still argue that the best blessings we encounter, are the ones that don’t seem like blessings at first; the opposite actually. But when we look back and see the impact those challenges had in our lives and how our relationship with Christ grew, we can then be confident in the use of the phrase “I’m blessed”.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Matthew 5: 3-6
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.