"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied"
Jesus announces that blessing, joy, and spiritual prosperity are hiding in your desire if it is directed at the right thing. Each of us has an internal guidance system that directs us. If this is aimed at the right things, then it draws blessing. If it is aimed at selfishness or pleasure or wickedness or revenge, then it brings darkness and pain. Be very careful what you allow to take over the guidance system of your life. It is easy to allow revenge, pleasure, selfishness, ego, immorality, or money to take over the aiming device in your life. It will not result in satisfaction and meaning but instead the opposite.
As we live our lives, all kinds of things happen to us and all kinds of things come across our paths. Some of these things are temptations seeking to seduce us into redirecting the course of our lives towards them: when we are treated unfairly; when we are wounded; when we are cheated; when we are given the chance to gain through illegal or immoral means; when we are offered pleasure outside of righteous boundaries. All of these "opportunities" are designed to put a rogue program in our guidance system.
This beatitude is about direction. It doesn't matter how old you are, there are always temptations to have a different goal in life than righteousness. It doesn't matter how old you are when you switch from righteousness to something else. It will always be temporary excitement followed by emptiness, loneliness, pain, and a curse. Don't fall for it. Blessing, satisfaction, and meaning comes from keeping the right thing the main thing.
Jesus says that if your eye be single, then your whole body is full of light but if the light that is in you is darkness, then how great is the darkness. If you are aimed at the wrong thing, then nothing about life will make sense. What is the definition of the right thing? That which glorifies God, benefits others, and benefits yourself. If you leave off the benefit to any one of those three groups, your guidance system will be off and you may approve the wrong targets in life.
How does God get you to hunger and thirst about some righteous project that He wants you to dedicate your life to? He exposes you to the injustice that is taking place in this area right now! Reality motivates – especially when it sees injustice. Everyone feels this. When things line up and some deep passion takes over and you know that you must change something that is just not right, then you are on the path to change and righteousness.
What are you living for today?
What are you hoping to accomplish today?
Is it righteous?
Does it glorify God?
Does it benefit others?
Does it benefit you?
If you have entered a dark phase of your life in which you are aiming at something that only benefits you or would embarrass God or others if it were to become known, then you will not be blessed in this path even though you may have some momentary pleasure. Yes, it is difficult to change your direction if you have been on the wrong path for a while; but you can do it. God's grace is available to you to redirect your life towards His glory.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz