“Blessed is the one… Whose delight is in the law of the Lord” (Ps. 1:1a, 2a)
I often say, “God Bless”. Perhaps you do too? What do you think “blessing” might look like?
The first word in the Church’s “Prayer Book”, the Psalms, is “Blessed”. Blessing, we are told, results from delighting in God’s word (Ps 1:2). Each year my interviews with confirmation candidates (like Ryan Olivier who will be confirmed Sunday evening) affirm this truth. Describing the confirmation process as a blessing they tell me they’ve developed an appetite for Scripture. The “blessed” ruminate on God’s Word and their lives become like trees planted by water; rooted and flourishing (:3).
The most blessed person who ever lived is Jesus – He is the definitive tree of life. And yet, Paul reminds us, “cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). On the cross Jesus experienced “cursing” that we might enjoy the blessing given to Abraham and the promise of the Spirit (:14). That’s a blessing I happily receive. More troubling, though, are Christ’s words “anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14:27).
The blessed life is not free of suffering or trouble – indeed remaining faithful to God can be trying. But, as Jesus proved, in God’s power even the cross becomes a blessing.
God Bless, Sean