Blessed are the poor in spirit for they will inherit the kingdom of God (Matt. 5:3).
Drawing close to God and developing a heart that seeks after him is sometimes a difficult route to navagate. Our pathway is set out in Scripture, but getting past the words of instruction to grasp what God asking of us is sometimes challenging. Matt. 5:3 is one such passage. What exactly does it mean to be poor in spirit? Some would say it is happy, others that it is broken hearted. The greek is πτωχός πνεῦμα (ptōchos pneuma). The English equivalent would be "destitute, lowly or needy in spirit or power." It is an acknowledgment that one is not mighty enough to manage without the aid of God. It is a humility with a particular bent towards reliance or a need of assistance.
If we are to take this beatitude seriously then determining how this quality, of being "poor in spirit", is to be realized in our lives is an important part of the journey. I have found that it can be very difficult to assess one's own humility. Sometimes it is easier to look at the opposite. In this case the opposite of being poor in spirit would be haughtiness or self reliant and proud.
What are the markers of haughtiness? How are they manifest in our lives? In what ways do we embrace haughtiness instead of being a person of humble need before a mighty God. A few pointed questions may help to reveal the depth of the distance we must travel to shift from self-reliance to God-reliant. The answers may well provide a road map to being on a right and true path to godliness.
Examine in yourself for a moment:
Drawing close to God and developing a heart that seeks after him is sometimes a difficult route to navagate. Our pathway is set out in Scripture, but getting past the words of instruction to grasp what God asking of us is sometimes challenging. Matt. 5:3 is one such passage. What exactly does it mean to be poor in spirit? Some would say it is happy, others that it is broken hearted. The greek is πτωχός πνεῦμα (ptōchos pneuma). The English equivalent would be "destitute, lowly or needy in spirit or power." It is an acknowledgment that one is not mighty enough to manage without the aid of God. It is a humility with a particular bent towards reliance or a need of assistance.
If we are to take this beatitude seriously then determining how this quality, of being "poor in spirit", is to be realized in our lives is an important part of the journey. I have found that it can be very difficult to assess one's own humility. Sometimes it is easier to look at the opposite. In this case the opposite of being poor in spirit would be haughtiness or self reliant and proud.
What are the markers of haughtiness? How are they manifest in our lives? In what ways do we embrace haughtiness instead of being a person of humble need before a mighty God. A few pointed questions may help to reveal the depth of the distance we must travel to shift from self-reliance to God-reliant. The answers may well provide a road map to being on a right and true path to godliness.
Examine in yourself for a moment:
- In what ways do I rely on my own strength, wisdom, intelligence to navigate relationships, work, physical trials or emotional trials?
- In what ways do I protect myself from vulnerability?
- How do I behave when I have control of a situation?
- How do I seek to gain control in a situation?
- What attitude do I have in the volunteer work I carry out? Is it done in my strength or done with God focused reliance?
- What is my automatic response when I face a difficult task or life situation?
- Do I think I am better than any other person?
- Am I sure I know answers, or that I may be right in any given situation and it is expressed in a way that does not show humility, love or kindness, but instead shows power or arrogance?
- What am I in charge of?
- Does my control have any opportunity to harm or short-change others?
So many more questions could be asked, but I will stop here. On a scale of 1 to 10, how are you doing on being poor in spirit? In answering these questions, it may well be that you are finding your answers betray a heart that is a little harder than you may actually desire if you truly want to be a part of the kingdom of God. Is it time to surrender, put up your white flag and acknowledge that your ways are not God's ways?
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Comments
Post a Comment