Recently, I have found my thinking evolving about one of Jesus’ Beatitudes,
his Kingdom Attitudes. And it is this one: “Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they will see God.”
I think many of us read that and think, “they will see God…some
day...in heaven” Years ago I thought that. And then
my study of the Beatitudes convinced me they are all about the kingdom coming now. And then, I think a lot of us just don’t really
think about what “see God” means. We just hear the beatitude as an
encouragement to keep our hearts pure or to let God keep purifying our hearts.
But I have been thinking a lot lately about how God is verb as
much as he is a noun. God acts. He does things. He moves. So to "see God" is to see God in action. And so
here are some of the latest Tom A. Jones paraphrases of this Kingdom Attitude:
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…working in their lives.”
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…changing them.”
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…filling them with his love for others.”
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…doing amazing things in difficult circumstances.”
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…enabling them to forgive when they didn’t think they could.”
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…opening doors, blowing open doors, knocking down doors.”
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…surprising them.”
- And then that leads to my favorite: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God……blow their minds!” I particularly like that one because I wasn’t sure he still did that for old guys like me. But good news: he does! It has been happening a lot.
Wow! Tears. Joy! Sharing with the "Overcomers". Thank you, G.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of "seeing God" now as seeing the evidence of his work in, through and around our lives, because he is always at work. What an inspiring perspective that is focused on God and his kingdom. May we all look around us with eyes that see God. Thanks Tom!
ReplyDeleteI love this. It reminds me to look for Him more. Can't see if I don't look. Thanks Tom
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent points--Spirit inspired, I feel. God also closes doors for reasons. He wants to turn our focus on things that are more important at that time. He also guides us through transitions. Some are so difficult we would never make it through without His guidance and constant presence. Regardless, it's always true - - we are right to wait in expectation of seeing His mighty power in action.
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent points--Spirit inspired, I feel. God also closes doors for reasons. He wants to turn our focus on things that are more important at that time. He also guides us through transitions. Some are so difficult we would never make it through without His guidance and constant presence. Regardless, it's always true - - we are right to wait in expectation of seeing His mighty power in action.
ReplyDelete