Blessing of the Poor and Weeping.

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God...Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ~Luke 6:20-21

Are you living for the kingdom? Have you counted everything as loss? How have you invested? Christ brings us a challenge, yes, but encouragement tied to it. He knew that many who follow would indeed be poor, that we would be poor. Because we have a choice. Because we have more important things to live for. Because following comes with a cost. Because following means that we may not be working a high-end job, it means that we'll be going after a plan that seems to be crazy, it means that we will be giving much away, it means that we might shunned, that we will give to those who have need, that we will be blessed. Because "Christ's poor are rich in faith (James 2:5)." And when you have faith you don't keep it to yourself. When we live a life invested in the kingdom, we receive the kingdom. Both now and in the future. The term blessed implies more than just fortunate or happy, but a person who enjoys the favor or God. And that's not something to hold lightly. That will surely bring great blessing into your life. 

But then Jesus goes on to talk about weeping. That doesn't sound like much fun. I don't know about you, but I don't very much like weeping. I had this presented to me in new light recently: "Do you mourn for the things God mourns for?" Are you moved to tears at the things that move God's heart? If you pour yourself into those things; You will laugh. You will have abundant joy, because you will see God at work around you and in you. Again, maybe it won't happen right now, in the present. But I guarantee that person that you've been praying 12 years for? Or that thing that just makes you swell with righteous anger? You'll be able to see how God has worked in, and through, you and others when you get to the kingdom. I'm sure of it. God turns sorrows into joy. 

How about it? Do you want to be rich in the Kingdom? Do you want to reap laughter? Do you want to see the favor of God in your life?