Be Attitudes – Is it My Be Attitude?

Attitudes are contagious, they are viral.  They are choices with prolonged thought and in the heat of the moment.  Beatitudes can seem pretty contrary to common sense, at least the common sense that we are used to.  Perhaps it is a bit too common and not quite enough purpose behind them.  Ever wonder why we are so attracted to movies, plays, and books about powers, nobility, special things?  I think that we want to be recognized as different, as special, as unique. 

Check out this list again from Matthew 5.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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 filled.
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 sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Well, that would be a rather unique thing wouldn’t it to be able to do those things.  I don’t know anyone who has mastered all of those, I certainly haven’t!

Poor in spirit, humble before God.  Poorness is much more than financially poor, though I am just a recovering grad student – so the wealth is not exactly rolling in.  Poorness is much more than that.  Those who are poor in spirit can sometimes be incredibly wealthy.  Perhaps, it is more of an attitude of reliance on God. 

Come on, I’ll be honest if you will.  Things go great – God is good and then we kind of move away from Him, we get distracted by all the great things around us.  Then, the fog rolls in, the storm comes and rains on our head, the lightning strikes, the wind knocks us down, the earthquake leave us trembling, and the tornado leaves us bruised and vulnerable.  Where are you God?  In the overwhelming moments with the wind whipping around us, the lightning flashing and our own feet teetering about on the waves as they knock us down and drag us in over our head, it is in the overwhelming moments that we often hear most clearly that still, small voice. 

And when we listen, when we lean on God in the storm and in the calm then He has a chance to move the way He wants to.  The landscape is changed, the drought is lifted, the rain is soaked in, the lightening dissipates the charges that were growing, and the sun will come out.  It is in the storm that I may listen the best, but it is in every season that I wish to lean on God.  For my heart to be humble before God, made aware of my smallness next to his greatness, wisdom, goodness, and mercy; for my mind to jump quicker as an act of obedience and trustful faith; for my heart to listen better to that whisper and be in tune to it’s insight.