21 Oct, 2010
Be Blessed!
I’ve put it off long enough! As I sit at my computer working, or struggling on this devotional, I feel like I’ve stressed over what to say. Or maybe it’s how to say what I believe God wants me to say. Either way, I am going to trust that God will use the words that I write to bring Him glory and honor.
Early in September, I got an email that a very close friend’s step-son had committed suicide. Since that time, there have been no less than 5 other suicides that have been reported or made news, either locally or nationally. Each time my heart has hurt.
I remember the shock of hearing about Aaron and praying for his family as they struggled with their grief. At times, I cried myself to sleep asking God to give them strength. For our Heavenly Father to surround them and comfort them, hoping that the words I said to them would somehow make them feel better.
Nothing I said or did would bring Aaron back. I couldn’t rewrite the past. I could only be there for his mom, Lynette, and let her know that I loved her. To listen. And to grieve with her.
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they
will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"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."
What does today’s Scripture Story teach us about being blessed?
When I read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), I notice that in order to get blessed, we need to be a blessing to others. I don’t believe in a ‘works’ salvation, meaning that you have to earn your way to heaven. But I do believe there are things that God wants AND commands us to do. Jesus mentioned several things that we should all do: be merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, meek. And to comfort. None of these are easy to fulfill, but fortunately we can get power from the Creator and the God of the Universe. We are blessed!
When I heard that Lynette’s son had killed himself, I wanted to help her. But what could I do? Nothing I said or did would bring Aaron back. I couldn’t rewrite the past. I could only be there for his family and let the know that I loved them. To listen. And to grieve with them.
Aaron’s mom served on our Youth for Christ board. Her youngest son, who just graduated from High School this past June was a part of our Campus Life group at our Impact Center. Lynette said she wished she had known about Youth for Christ when Aaron was younger because she knows it would have made a difference in his life.
Having Jesus in your life does make a difference. Life isn’t easy, and it’s not fair. Good and bad things happen to us. But we can rely on God. His Word teaches us that we should be blessings to those around us. And we will be blessed when going through trials when we allow God to shine through our lives so others may see HIM and glorify His name.
Do you know a friend who has had a suicide affect them? Pray for them. Offer comfort to those who are left behind. Be there for them. Listen to them. Cry with them.
Ask the Holy Spirit to provide opportunities for you to minister to those who are hurting (phone calls, texts, notes, offers to help run errands, make cookies, ect).
Have you or do you experience suicidal thoughts? Talk to a trusted adult (pastor, youth worker, parent, minister, teacher, or SOMEBODY! Don’t feel ashamed to ask for help.
Because of a memorial set up in Aaron’s name, our local YFC chapter is now going to offer a scholarship to our seniors who are going into ministry or making a difference in the lives of others in their community. We don’t want his life to be in vain. Our hope is that others will learn that Someone is there to help and there is Hope. And we are the body of Christ…..His hands extended to lift someone up today. Go and be Jesus to someone…..today…..tomorrow….and every day. Be a blessing to those in need.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
