And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples , and said : “ Blessed are you who are hungry now , for you shall be satisfied .” - Luke 6:20 – 21
One particular year , in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas , the demands of life took priority over my time to focus on the birth of Christ . My son and I were visiting and catching up . When he asked how I was doing , I expressed frustration about not having enough time to read , pray , and reflect on the season . I told him that , as a result , my spirit felt disconnected from Advent . In the past , I ’ d always felt guilty when not praying , meditating , or reading daily devotionals . But at this middle stage of life , rather than feel guilty , I ’ d developed a sense of imbalance . I felt my life was not centered properly without the truth about who I was in Christ , the freedom He offered , and the opportunity to humble myself before Him . I longed to daily reconnect with Him so I could continue to discover the person He desired me to be . This only happened when I was in a consistent , close relationship with Him .
As I expressed frustration to my son , he responded with kindness rather than judgment . He said something like , “ Mom , there will always be times we don ’ t get to be with God as much as we ’ d like . These are the times to feel our hunger , realize our need in a deeper way , and respond with the attitude of longing to understand more clearly the importance of Jesus .” In other words , feel the hunger more deeply ! There ’ s that word longing again . Longing , in the spiritual sense , means desiring Jesus .
In Luke 6 , Jesus began to help the newly appointed apostles understand the importance of embracing brokenness . Years ago , I remember hearing in church the words , “ Pray for brokenness .” Yikes , I thought . I don ’ t want God to break me by taking me to a place of hurt and pain . But we are all broken , hurt , and hungry for a Savior . We all need to understand that He came to the world to bring forgiveness and healing . And the healing started with the baby in a manger , thousands of years ago when God sent His Son to earth in human form .
Our relationship with Him heals , completes , and sustains us as we live in a world where brokenness , sickness , and hurt abound . Trusting His ways , His plans , and His love brings the ultimate fulfillment . He alone can satisfy our longing .
Luke 6 explains that embracing our own emptiness results in inheriting all God has to offer . We see this concept in the eight Beatitudes , or blessings . This is where our longings are met and our hunger satisfied . This is where we see Him , our all-sufficient God . If we turn to Him with tears , our caring Father will provide comfort and wipe them away . Because our identity rests in Him , when we are filled with conflict and rejection He will restore us as His children and right all wrongs . He is the one who saves us ; He is our ultimate Redeemer . We , as His children , live inside the gates of a lavish kingdom .
When we feel poor and powerless , He completes us . “ But He said to me , ‘ My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness .’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses , so that the power of Christ may rest upon me . For the sake of Christ , then , I am content with weaknesses ,
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