Merciful

After following Jesus for 28 years I should know better.
Yet, I struggle with the whole concept and practise of mercy. It's relatively easy to show mercy and love to those that I don't have a relationship with. To fill the hand of a beggar, to pray with a stranger in need; no problem. I'm not expecting anything in return and it feels good, rewarding and fullfilling.
To be mercifull and loving towards those that I feel could, and should give something in return is a different story. The mud that some of Gods people (quite often unknowingly because "they are so right") are quick to throw at people (including me) makes it a real challenge to extend mercy to them.
Often I feel more like spraying paint in their noses, ears and eyes, or even worse, a more definite and therefore permanent disabling from certain (or all) faculties.

Yet, I so much desire to be a gracious and mercifull person. Because I want people to be mercifull to me and because I know it reflects Gods character. And wherever Gods character is reflected and demonstrated, people will be build up. They change.
God, help me to get the hang of it...

Hunger for righteousness

This particular beatitude appeals to me the most. Injustice sucks the life out of this planet and out of the life of its people. I don't see much "fairness" around me and I sympathize with all those that want to scream on top of their voices "IT'S NOT FAIR".
Most injustice has to do with greed. Greed for money, power, sex; the insatiable hunger to feed into ME. It's about MY needs. Get out of MY way.

God knows. Jesus knows. He sympathizes with those who are the victims of injustice.
God waits. Jesus waits. His day will come. Justice will come.

I look forward to that day.
I'm not thinking about the little injustice that I have experienced over the past 46 years. No, that's nothing compared to what millions are going through. Aids victims, the homeless, the 30.000 children that die each day because of malnutrition of infectious deseases, the emotinal and physical abused women and children.
Their cries are piling up and God hears.

Even though I believe in the message of love I am thankfull that God is just and justice will come. That those that took and take lives, land, dreams, innocence, ideals, mothers, children with force, will meet the forcefull Hand of justice.

I desperately hunger for righteousness. I cry with those victims for justice and I believe in the promose of Jesus: They will be filled!

The inner circle, or what

Yesterday I shared with our OM staff some of my thoughts and findings related to the beatitudes: "Imagine being in that crowd and hearing Jesus speak those revollutionairy words. What picture would have come to your mind if you hear Jesus say that the poor in spirit are blessed and will inherit the kingdom of heaven"?
We had a few sharing their thoughts and they ranged from the mentally challenged people to those that realise that they need Jesus as their Savior. I really thought we had some good interaction and many made valid contributions. Towards the end of the talk one of my friends said, "I don't want to spoil a good party but I don't think that Jesus spoke to the crowdbut only to his twelve disciples".
I had been thinking about that. Verse 1 may lead us to conclude that 1) yes, their was a crowd and 2) yes, the disciples came to him but to draw the conclusion that Jesus was laying out the constitution of the Kingdom for his disciples only, is stretching it. Quit a bit.

Your in the crowd, amazed at His teaching (7:28) only to find out that these words were not meant for you. You'd like to ask Jesus, "but sir, if these words were for your twelve close friends, what are they to me"? Would Jesus have apologized? "I'm sorry, I should have been more specific about identifying my target audience. Forget what I just said. Again, sorry for wasting your time".

Jesus' words apply to everyone. The crowds didn't just happen to stand by and accidentaly overhear Jesus' words. His words were meant for all of them.
Whenever Jesus speaks we are confronted with who we truly are. His words of truth shed light into the dark corners of our souls and when He speaks, we know; we just know that He is truth and we're not.
And we have a choice. His words of truth have the power to set us free, But I need to welcome that truth, with its power.

I would have been so discouraged if Jesus would have told me that His words were not aimed at me and my neighbour. Do you believe with me that Jesus looks us in the eye and says; "These are my words. This is the truth. For you. Take them and put them to practise".