What Does It Mean To Be Blessed?
Russell Wilson, the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, stood in front of the camera after his team had won the Super Bowl and he told the reporter that he felt blessed. He was blessed to be in that position and he thanked God for the talents and abilities with which he had been blessed. Certainly this was a fortunate situation. He was at the high point of his career. He had reached the pinnacle of his profession. In a way, it was obvious that he was blessed by God. What a moment! What an experience!
Nick Magnotti spoke in a similar tone. He used the same word. But Nick had not won the Super Bowl, he was a normal young man, and Nick was dying. Nick sat in front of the camera and when asked to describe his state of mind, he responded with one word: “Blessed”. He felt blessed to have a wife who loved him and stood by him as he went through painful chemotherapy. He felt blessed to have known his infant daughter, all be it for a short while. He felt blessed to see her smile and spend time with her. He felt blessed because as a Christian he was not afraid of death. He was blessed because he could sit in front of camera and share his faith and his confidence in Christ and his daughter would be able to watch his confession when she was older. (I encourage you to search for Nick’s touching video on the internet but make sure you have a box of tissues nearby.)
What does it mean to be blessed? Our Savior makes us think twice about what exactly that means as he addresses his disciples with the opening words of his Sermon on the Mount. 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted… 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
Dear Christian, whether you are on top of the world or you stand face to face with the pains and the sorrows of this world, or you find yourself anywhere in between, know that you are blessed. To be blessed does not simply mean that we are surrounded by prosperity and success, health and outward and obvious happiness. While that is certainly a reason to count our blessings, your Savior reminds you that because of faith in him you are blessed in every and any situation because you belong to him. You are blessed because although your sin has made you a poor and miserable sinner, Jesus has made you spiritually rich. He has given you his righteousness. He has taken away your sin. You are pure and holy through his cleansing blood. You are blessed for you have been given the free gift of heaven through faith in Jesus. You have comfort; you have peace in Jesus.
Dear Christian, whatever your circumstance in life, rejoice and be glad, because your life is blessed with your Savior’s gracious presence. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven.