Blessed to Be a Blessing
There is a passage in the Gospels that seems to turn the way God does things upside down.
Jesus taught his famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-11), and challenged the way most of us expect the world to work. Calling the poor, the hungry, the meek, the peacemakers, and the persecuted “blessed” was not the kind of world people were hoping for.
To be blessed is to experience God’s favor and to be happy in ways that are both tangible and intangible.
People in Jesus’ day were feeling pretty un-blessed. Here was this remarkable teacher, who might even be God Himself, doing astonishing things like healing people, walking on water, taking on the religious leaders. Hopes were soaring that He would finally turn everything right-side-up in their favor.
They believed they had enemies who were standing in the way of God’s blessing, and were hoping for a few swift punches to the government, or some relief from suffocating religious rules to finally bring the good life. A new kingdom that would finally go their way. But that is exactly NOT how Jesus planned His kingdom on earth to work.
Instead, Jesus offered glimpses of a different way to be blessed. As representatives of His kingdom, we are called to become God’s hands and feet of blessing; to offer opportunity instead of opposition, to feed, clothe, and heal, while the rest of the world chases power, status, and wealth.
The meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those hungry-for-justice people are called to walk differently. God’s paths to blessing lead us to care for the vulnerable, generate healing, and bring hope. Being a blessing means living contrary to the storyline of the world.
When we realize the blessings that we’ve received from God, it becomes easier to participate in bringing God’s kingdom on earth.
Pastor Jay explains, “Because it is the heart and nature of God to bless, every time we bless, every time we become a blessing, we become more like God… It is our calling to participate with God in blessing creation.”
God blesses us and asks that we “be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). Because, “the one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped”. (Proverbs 11:25)
There are many ways to bless others, but one of the simplest and most powerful is spoken affirmation: encouragement, recognition, or, as my favorite literary character Albus Dumbledore said, “Never underestimate the power of a kind word.”
By comforting the heartbroken, listening to the troubled, or holding the hand of someone learning to stand on their own, we choose to value others above ourselves. When we offer our time, talents, prayer, and resources, scarce as they might be, we connect someone else to blessing.
During times of turmoil, we can offer hope, extending empathy when others call for revenge, peace in chaos, presence in grief, reconciliation where relationships are fractured, and forgiveness where it seems least deserved.
Maya Angelou said it simply: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
To bless others is to reflect God’s heart and invite His kingdom into the world around us
Reflection Questions:
• Where in my life am I experiencing God’s blessings, and how am I sharing them with others?
• In what ways can I become God’s hands and feet this week, bringing hope, peace, or encouragement to someone in need?
• Am I walking on God’s paths of blessing, or following my own paths, and how can I realign my steps with His ways?
Watch Sermon Here
