In my first professional life, I was a writer and an editor. This gave my world a little room to breathe. Life could be poetic; it didn’t have to be logical, or practical, or make sense anywhere but in my head. In this, my second professional life, I would like to keep a little bit of this, though that’s pretty much impossible where I work. This week, after spending Christmas Eve in the ER with my best friend and learning that my friends’ little boy is seriously ill, I long to live in this world. A world where if I breathe deeply and steadily, you will breathe easier. A world where I can take your pain on as my own, because I have felt pain like this before and would never wish this on someone I love. A world where we are so connected that I can actually feel your pain, rather than what I feel being simply somatic symptoms or the fact that your illness is highly contagious. A world were all violence is symbolic and meaningful, and all sorrow leads to joy.
There is only one place where any of this can be. And that place is the heaven we are promised in Matthew 5:3-12. One Sunday at my church, CCFB, my minister and friend pointed out that I am one who truly mourns the world. I find it impossible to look on the suffering of others and not suffer myself, often with tears in my eyes. This quality is looked on by some as a weakness, as my being overly sensitive or a little unstable. But in pointing this out my friend made me realize that this is not a weakness, but an admirable quality. An admirable quality that at this moment seems a plague, but something I'll try to keep. So this is what I get in Christ. All of things that bring us suffering now will, when we reach that day, bring us light and joy beyond imagination. I long for this day.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.
Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.
There is only one place where any of this can be. And that place is the heaven we are promised in Matthew 5:3-12. One Sunday at my church, CCFB, my minister and friend pointed out that I am one who truly mourns the world. I find it impossible to look on the suffering of others and not suffer myself, often with tears in my eyes. This quality is looked on by some as a weakness, as my being overly sensitive or a little unstable. But in pointing this out my friend made me realize that this is not a weakness, but an admirable quality. An admirable quality that at this moment seems a plague, but something I'll try to keep. So this is what I get in Christ. All of things that bring us suffering now will, when we reach that day, bring us light and joy beyond imagination. I long for this day.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.
Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.
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