What's blessed?

In my morning devotional, I am reminded of my least favorite trait in a person.  It is arrogance!  No matter how smart, witty, talented, spiritual or beautiful a person is when I spot arrogance, it cancels their bestowed gift for me.  Just this week I met with a client of mine.  She shared with me about how in a management meeting, she became very frustrated because a fellow employee in the meeting showed tremendous disrespect for the person speaking.  He rolled his eyes, was making faces and gestures to show contempt for the other person.  I say to this, "what arrogance".

As I study God's word in the quiet morning with the sun shining down on me through the window, I am comforted to know I am in good company with my dislike for arrogance.  Several of my readings remind me God too doesn't like the proud.  The beatitudes found in Matthew 5 say it over and over.  Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted.  Never does God say blessed are those who know it all, who belittle others, who start trouble or who win.  No, I think our world tries to tell us that, but I'm not buying it.

The most beautiful people I have met in my life typically have seen some trials.  (Not that people who haven't aren't beautiful.)  It is just very evident to me when someone has felt some brokenness, they have a deeper realm of compassion.  As we go through the trials in our lives, let's remember God is always with us.  His eyes never leave us.  Even in the deepest pain.  If we turn to Him through these times, He is faithful to comfort us, give us answers, direct our paths and use these times to be as He mentions in Matthew 5 - blessed.