DRLarson, I am the original DRLarson. In fact, I have been DRLarson since my birth. I am Dawn Renee’ Larson. My brother, Dr. Matt Larson actually put in the hard work and long hours to earn his DR. He asked me to share some of my writings with you. I consider it a great honor, a privilege to journey with the New Hope family.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3
What is a beatitude? According to Bakers Bible dictionary a beatitude is a condition or statement of blessedness. So what is blessedness? Blessedness is spiritual joy. If we break it down just a bit more, Blessed is to consecrate or make holy. If we add all this together and shake it up a bit, what do we get? A beatitude is an attribute or spiritual attitude that allows us to experience spiritual joy.
Over the years I have read the beatitudes and tried to decide which one is the best one to “be.” But, the more familiar I become with the beatitudes, the more I read them, the more I am convinced they are not like spiritual gifts. These are indicative of a journey of the heart and life of a follower of Jesus. In other words, these attributes are for all Christians. And as we live the beatitudes we share the kingdom of God here, on earth. So, let us consider one beatitude at a time.
The first step of the heart’s journey is be poor in spirit. Notice it doesn’t say you have to be poor, as in financially. That is a separate topic all together. We are to be poor in spirit. So what does that mean exactly? Poor in spirit refers to a spiritual condition, not an emotional one. It is not about being sad or depressed. Rather, it is a realization that we cannot be holy, we cannot experience spiritual completeness within ourselves. To be poor in spirit is to recognize our need for God. This is the first step in our Christian walk. It is when we are poor in spirit that we realize that we are sinners. We realize and acknowledge that Jesus died for us. The path to true spiritual joy is experienced when we admit our frailties and sin.
Although it is the first step in a journey, it is also a state of being to maintain. Every day we need to acknowledge that we cannot do life without Jesus. Our joy, our blessedness is diminished when we try to do things ourselves. When I become a little “big for my britches” and figure I know how to do this walk on my own. I usually land flat on my face, humbled before God. It doesn’t matter how mature in Christ I become. It doesn’t matter how many times I read through the Bible or how many times a day I pray. I will always need the help of Jesus to walk in holiness.
And Jesus will always, always deserve my humility and praise. For it is only in Him that I live.
