Matthew 5:11

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. -Matthew 5:11-12

I think the natural reaction of a reader would be fear. Fear of having this verse to be applied in our lives. Who wants to be insulted? Who wants to be persecuted? Who wants people to gossip about us? No one right?

But blessed am I if I face all these sufferings for Christ's sake!

I feel encouraged and blessed by this verse. I can summarize why in 3 points (:

1. Free from being a slave to the people around me.

How many people come in and out of my life? How versatile am I to adapt to the changes in people around me? How am I suppose to meet the expectations of everyone? I can't please all. This verse teaches me to stay true to what and who is important to me, and who am I to please? Today, my dad could be expecting something like that, and tomorrow he could be expecting something like this! It's always changing! I can never meet the ever changing expectations of the people around me. All I can do is to do my best and let God do the rest.

2. The freedom and ease to do God's will.

I think many times we hesitate to obey God coz we're afraid of how people look at us. We're afraid that they're unhappy with us. But if I'm free from being a slave to the ever changing expectations of people, I wouldn't mind how they look at me. All I have to focus on is carrying out the purposes God has for me! And God's expectations never change. For thousands of years, it's still the same. This gives me security and assurance, that my God is constant. And that is where I find my identity in, my identity is in Christ. With my hopes placed on something that is constant, I would then have the confidence to live my life everyday!

3. My reward is in heaven!

This helps me to look at things from an eternal perspective. It's okay if there're people who aren't happy with me. I always remember this famous saying,"Those who matter don't mind, those who mind don't matter." I don't have to seek comfort and assurance from the people or the things of this world, all these will fade away, all these are temporal. Keeping my eyes fixed on eternity helps me to strive for Jesus Christ with hope and confidence too!

Bankrupt without You.

I know the day I made you Lord over my life, I want to live my life for You. But everytime You hide your presence away from me. I'll be so lost and I can't find the joy of living no more.

I have always been strong, because I know I am secure with You around. But when dryness hits me. I crumble. And here I am now, spiritually poor, emotionally poor and physically poor.

Nevertheless, grant me the strength to press on. I want to see You face to face.