[dropcap2 variation=”coffee”]J[/dropcap2]esus said, “Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Huh? What does it mean to be poor in spirit? That sure doesn’t sound very positive, and how in the world does it lead to being happy?
Another way to say this might be, “Happy are those who have had their hearts broken. They have no illusions about being in control. They have been crushed and cannot rise. All they can do is look up.”
Huh?
Jesus is not playing mind games. He is inviting us to go deeper than appearances and embrace reality. The truth is we are needy. All of us. No exceptions.
This is such good news. It’s okay to be needy! We are creations, not the Creator, so we’re needy by definition. And the beginning of the happiness Jesus offers us is the recognition of our own massive spiritual neediness. We’re not in control. Our lives have become unmanageable. We cannot even cause our own hearts to beat, so how could we possible make ourselves spiritually alive?
Jesus patiently and lovingly waits for us to come to our senses. “I need you,” is the heart-whisper he longs to hear.
Feeling needy? Good! Bring it on, and bring it all. Jesus can handle it. In fact, he wants it because he wants you.
