ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AS A CHILD - by Susan Fochler

As we continue our dive into the Beatitudes, I looked to a few of my favorite Christian thinkers for help in understanding what it means to be “poor in spirit”.  Richard Rohr’s definition is “an inner emptiness and humility, a beginner’s mind, and to live without a need for personal righteousness or reputation.”  C.S. Lewis adds that “humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” 

When I consider these two definitions, I get a picture of what Jesus means when He encourages us to “repent (that is, change our old way of thinking) and become like children-trusting, humble and forgiving”. (Matt 18:4 AMP).  To become like children, innocent, unburdened by the cares of the world, accepting and feeling accepted.  Not depending on other people’s approval for our self-worth, comfortable acknowledging our utter dependency on God.

When I was very young it was so easy to be present, trusting and joyful, seeing life as an adventure and not something to fear.  But like many of us, over time harsh messages and experiences began to impact my heart and I started to wall off, developing doubts and insecurities about how others viewed me, and how I viewed myself and my world. 

The really good news is, Jesus is calling us all back to the garden, where we can live and move and breathe in the light of His presence continuously, seamlessly, without separation.  Where accepting His help is our first thought, not an afterthought, because we are secure in His goodness and unconditional grace, free of punishment.

So here’s an interpretation of what it means to be “poor in spirit” as a child is, in simplicity, at ease with our dependency and confident that we are accepted and enjoyed as we are:  

How wonderful and unencumbered we are when we realize we have nothing to prove, no one to impress, and don’t need to have all the answers.  How free and innocent we are when less attached to our plans, reputations, possessions and opinions than we are to the heart of God.  We then hold these things loosely,
and are more available to God is doing and let His river flow. 

Jesus, make us all as children again! 

Love,
Pastor Susan

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ENCOUNTERING THE GLORY OF OUR TRUE IDENTITY - by Pastor Joel Pollard

Image
2 Corinthians 3:7-12 in The Passion declares, “Even the ministry that was characterized by chiseled letters on stone tablets came with a dazzling measure of glory, though it produced death. The Israelites couldn’t bear to gaze on the glowing face of Moses because of the radiant splendor shining from his countenance — a glory destined to fade away. Yet how much more radiant is the new and glorious ministry of the Spirit that shines from us! For if the former ministry of condemnation was ushered in with a measure of glory, how much more does the ministry that imparts righteousness far excel in glory. What once was glorious no longer holds any glory because of the increasingly greater glory that has replaced it. The fading ministry came with a portion of glory, but now we embrace the unfading ministry of a permanent impartation of glory. So then, with this amazing hope living in us, we step out in freedom and boldness to speak the truth.” But wait, there’s more….it keeps getting better! A...
Read more

THE PROMISE OF PEACE IN A TUMULTUOUS WORLD - by Brent Lokker

Image
Needless to say, there’s been a heap of turmoil in the world, and in America this rose to a crescendo during our recent presidential elections as it has a way of doing every four years. Because we all hold fiercely at times to our cherished opinions of how the world ought to be as well as how it’s going to happen, half of the United States was poised to be incredibly disheartened with the election results. Yet, regardless of whether you were devastated or exuberant with the outcome, God is equally in the midst of each of us doing something much deeper in our hearts…   “We are all in love with our own opinions, convinced they’re correct. But the Lord is in the midst of us,  testing and probing our every motive.” Proverbs 16:2  (TPT)   Because of his tender love for us, he brings to the surface areas of our hearts where we have placed our trust in people or situations or outcomes rather than himself and the goodness of his heart toward us. Then he invites us to explore...
Read more

LESS THAN 20: It Only Takes A Few Hungry Ones To Change The World - by Jen Miskov

Image
Welsh Revival (1904-05) Less than 20 people (17 people) gathered at Moriah Chapel October 31, 1904 when Evan Roberts preached. All present gave their lives to Christ. When these 17 people came to Christ, Roberts knew that the revival he had been praying his whole life for had come. In less than six months, over 100,000 people got saved and the entire nation was radically transformed. This later became known as the Welsh Revival and released impartation for the Azusa Street Revival. Roberts, only 26 years old at the time, led that first catalytic meeting with less than 20 people present.   Azusa Street Revival (1906) On April 9, 1906 in a little home on Bonnie Brae St. in Los Angeles, less than 20 people (around 15 people), many of whom were on a 10 day fast, gathered together with one agenda, to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. They wanted to tap into what those at the Upper room waited for. As William J. Seymour preached on Acts 2, the Spirit fell upon them, baptizing several of th...
Read more