Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

It was Monday morning. The previous week had been extra busy at the Community Food Ministry where I volunteered. There were at least 75 files to be refiled, the window and incoming clients to attend to, and an equally big stack of files to be organized before their information was entered in the database and then they were refiled. Phew! I found myself flitting to be sure that I got to the window first, even though the intake volunteers were glad to help. I needed to prove that I was on top of it – that I was the best. 

Happy are people who are humble, for they will inherit the earth. (CEB) 

Inwardly ignoring the real reason we were there, which was to help feed the hungry, my desire to be a channel for God’s love, shown to those who are hungry, was overshadowed by my desire to be number one. I was letting my own needs supersede the needs of these beautiful folk who lived on the margins. I was putting myself in the place of God. 

Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. (NRSV) 

When we put our own needs frivolously and maybe secretly first, our relationship with God suffers. It becomes, then, even harder to share God’s love with the world. The questions that might be raised are, “Do my outward actions need to change? Does my heart need to refocus?” 

You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less.
That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. (The Message)  

Today is a great day to seek God’s presence and help in repairing our relationship with God. It is prime time to align what we think, what we say, and what we do. Thus, we can relate to the world and address a few hurts in a genuine way. As we do so, may those with whom we come in contact be comforted and sustained through our actions and by the love we share in God’s name. 
 

-- Rev. Dianne Tombaugh, retired elder
dtombaugh@greatplainsumc.org

Prayer for Reflection

Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23