We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’  Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.
Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Matthew 5:4 MSG

One of the major issues that I had with God, an All-Knowing Sovereignty, is how the world could be so messed up—if God truly were in control, then how did things get so out of whack and why didn’t He do anything about it!  Why did it seem that this all-knowing, all-powerful and all-loving God had no interest or control of the world He created.

When I questioned why should I trust a God that didn’t seem to care about me and my life, the Holy Spirit replied, “You don’t care about Me and what I’m doing.”  I paused and thought about it.  The truth was I didn’t care about God and what He was doing; all I cared about was what He could do for me and that He make my life exactly the way I wanted it. Me!  God wasn’t about anything bigger than being my personal genie.

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.
Matthew 10:39

The Lord opened my eyes by pointing out that He was not the problem—I was.

You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.
Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Matthew 5:4

I have always been worried about being “too normal” or “not me” anymore.  When I felt the Lord tugging at me to give Him my all, I hesitated.  I knew that obedience would mean that I would be changing.  I was afraid that if I let God change me, then I would no longer be myself and would instead be some robot lacking personality.

I can laugh about it now, but then, I was truly frightened!  I have come to realize that the changes God wants to make in me are simply Him pulling outward who He truly made me to be inwardly.  Before society and life touched me, God knew me.  Before I ever labeled myself ugly or unworthy God knew me and that is not who He planned for me to be.

Giving God that which we hold dearest leaves room for us to be embraced by God because there’s more room for Him!  I have grown so much thanks to my obedience to the Lord.  (Please know it’s a daily thing!)  And I love the me that He is showing me that He made me to be—His workmanship!

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

Thank You, Lord, for making me who I am.  Thank You for caring about me and loving me and teaching me.  Let me forever and always make the daily decision to make more room for You and surrender my life to You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.