Matthew 5:3 – … for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Using Google to define terms from the Bible can produce surprising results. Searching for “poor in spirit” brought this insight:
“Recognizing your deep spiritual need and total dependence on God instead of relying on your own pride, power, or good works.” While some believe that leaning on the AI features that are paired with Google could be dangerous, even that source can be viewed through a self-reliance (by ensuring our safety on our own – avoiding dangerous things), or a reliance on GOD to protect us in everything.
The definition from Google is expanded further: “Humility: you admit that you do not have all the answers and cannot manage life on your own. – Spiritual Emptiness: You see your human flaws and realize you have no spiritual wealth of your on to offer GOD. – Dependence on Grace: You let go of self-reliance and look entirely to God for forgiveness and strength.”
The term “poor in spirit” describes an inner posture of openness and need for the Divine.
The more we lean into those thoughts, the more we see that wealth, honor, fame, intellect, position, and experience can be some of the traps that keep us in pride – believing that we know better than someone else. But when we live for results in this world, we are missing the whole point of life. We do not live for this life. We are living for the character building that is needed in the next life – our real life.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
If we remain focused on what we want here on this earth and use our God-given resources to bring satisfaction in this life, will we still inherit the kingdom of heaven?
There’s no firm answer to that question – only GOD knows. As for me, i desire to hold everything loosely in this realm and hold tightly to the precepts that tie me to the next realm…. hoping others will join me in that endeavor and experience the deep deep joy of GOD’s love in the here and now as our eyes are set on HIS desires rather than our own.
Will you ask HIM to draw you into HIS plans and desire HIS ways more than your own?