From Here to There

So I am entering the tenth month of a year experiment. At least that’s what I am telling myself. That way I don’t feel weird about the time I have taken off. In this time away I have experienced a plethora of experiences, places, people, cultures, thoughts, and feelings.

We (Joan and I) have had some great views, great conversations, and great kids join us along the way. My truck tells me that we have driven over 28,000 miles since we hooked up to the 5th wheel and took off. Of course, all of that is not pulling the RV but in all the places we have been and things we have done. From spending the early summer exploring Yellowstone, Glacier Nat. Park, the Rockies of Canada and back again it is a trip I will never forget. We spent the rest of summer driving back and forth to Madison, SD to get our house ready and sold. In the fall we spent time at the farm bringing in the late harvest of corn and then once it threatened us with a major snow storm we headed south to the warmth of Texas.

We have been from here to there and back again in our travels and it is clear to me that our lives are the same way. We all have traveled in our lives. Some of those travels take us miles away from what we call home and some of those travels take us back and forth to work each day. You see it doesn’t really matter how many miles you put on your truck or bike or shoes. What really matters is how you progress as a person. Just as your physical life will go from here to there so goes your spiritual life.

It is my desire that each one of you know the beautiful saving grace that comes only from Jesus Christ. A grace that will save your soul for all of eternity. We all grow and move in our spiritual lives, the only question is which way will you go?

Over the next several posts I would like to take you on a journey from here to there. A journey that will show you when you take what Jesus shares with us from his message from the mount (The Sermon On the Mount). This is the starting point of transformation and Paul then shows us the destination of that journey. It is through love, grace, learning, and determination that we walk this journey of life. So let’s head out!

Our Starting point is found in the Gospel of Matthew in the 5th Chapter. Jesus is talking to a large group of people and starts his message with what has been labeled the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:3-11

“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 children 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.

You will notice a blessing for each thing that we may experience in life and then what God will bring to us if we choose to follow his way of life. But the real question many people ask is “How do I know if I am living it right so as to receive the result of the blessing?” A great question indeed, and I believe there is an answer. That answer is found in the book Paul wrote to the Galatians.

Paul in Galatians 5 gives us a set of 9 reactions we will have if we are living our lives correctly. the list of 9 is this: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You may have heard this before as the fruit of the spirit. So as we journey from here to there we must start and end with what Jesus has told us and the proof in the pudding so to speak will show up through the fruit of the spirit.

Let’s take a look at the first one on the list. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Michael Wilkins explains it this way “The “poor” are those who have encountered unfortunate circumstances from an economic point of view, but also persons who are spiritually and emotionally oppressed, disillusioned, and in need of God’s help. Those who have experienced the harsh side of life in which deprivation and hunger are their regular lot have no resources of their own to make anything of their lives. This also includes those who recognize that they can produce no spiritual or religious self-help before God. They are spiritually bankrupt.  We hear this in the psalmist as he cries out in Psalm 40:17. “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.””

So in essence, all of us are or have been poor in spirit. When we realize our need for God and choose to do life God’s way God tells us we will gain the kingdom of heaven. If we are gaining the kingdom of heaven how do we know if we are “gaining” on it? The proof is Love.

When it comes to love, there is no amount of work that you can do to earn your love. Love comes from a byproduct of the soul. In your journey of life, you will either live in love or you won’t. There is no third direction. When your focus is on God and the ultimate life in Heaven for eternity, this life here on Earth can have a whole different outlook. No longer will money, status, health, and personal satisfaction be our main goal in life. As we journey from here to there we will see the love that God has for us and in turn that love of God will be expressed in your life and everything you do.

Understand your need for God + Love in your heart and life for God and others = The Kingdom of Heaven

Next time we will explore how you can be comforted.

Have a GREAT day and love those around you!! – Bryan