“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” 

 Matthew 5:5

DEVOTION

As a dad to two young daughters, I’m always finding creative ways to have fun and play with my girls. One game we like to play is a made-up game I call, “Pillow King and Queen!”

There are no real rules other than grab as many pillows as fast as you can in the living room and build your fort while having a big pillow fight until you declare a winner (no children were injured in the playing of this game). 

After playing this living room game one day, I asked my oldest daughter, Faith, if we could quickly review what she learned at school or complete any homework. That was my attempt and sneaky way to hear about her day. She wasn’t excited to share but she eventually shared one of her assignments this semester is to memorize a portion of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. (For context, she is in 3rd grade attending a Christian school.)

Without thinking, as I was sitting there, I asked, “What if we memorized this together?'' A little fun memorization competition—prizes might be given. She said okay! One of the ways I try to memorize is repeating words out loud over and over again. As I was doing this on a long car ride by myself, I started repeating the word “bless.” Suddenly, I said, “B-LESS.” I quickly remembered Matthew 5:5 that says, “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.”

There is a powerful paradox in this made-up pillow fight game and the Beatitudes. Our world fights for power and to build up our own ecosystem and kingdom no matter the cost, but Jesus provides a different way of living that is contrary to our world.

At that moment on my car drive, I felt the Holy Spirit whisper, this is what I want for you. I want you to be less so that you can be blessed.

Not blessed in a materialistic way. The Greek word for blessed is "Makarios.” It has the general meaning of “happy” or “joyful.” It is a spiritual blessedness, a divine satisfaction that only comes from God.

It’s an invitation no matter what type of life and little Kingdom you are trying to build. The Lord is the only one who can bring true contentment and change in our world. I believe God does his best work for us when we humble ourselves before him. God wants us to stop striving and strip away any prestige, titles, entitlement, and clout. He wants us to strip away anything that makes us miss opportunities to experience his presence and serve others.

Pride is the enemy of humility. Pride robs us from experiencing God. Pride steals away opportunities to learn from others. Pride eliminates our ability to see who God wants us to serve. Those who are meek are humbly advancing God’s Kingdom forward.

John 3:30 says, “He must increase; I must decrease.” God has so much rich spiritual nourishment for his sons and daughters. If we can stop, humble ourselves, and look to him for all that we need, we will experience his presence in powerful ways. Even “Pillow King and Queen” can teach you so much about God and his Kingdom through his children.

What is God whispering to you? Where can you slow down to experience his voice in your life? What lesson might God be teaching you from ordinary moments like playing with your kids, grandkids, or spending time with your neighbors? In what area of your life is God asking you to replace pride with humility? Where can you bring hope through humbly serving those God has put in your path?

PRAYER

 Lord, we recognize, we are sinners in need of your grace; we humble ourselves and look to you for all that we need in our life. God, we ask you to rid us of any pride that has taken root in our hearts and bring about your grace in those areas of our life. Allow us to see the world through your Kingdom lens and build a life that is all about your Kingdom and not our own. Amen.

Scott Bartlow

Pastor of Campus Expansion

sbartlow@crossings.church

Scott Bartlow is the Pastor of Campus Expansion at Crossings Community Church. Scott is passionate about creating environments and churches where people can encounter Jesus and come fully alive.

RESOURCES

• Sermon On The Mount Series 
• The Beatitudes by John Stott
• "Because He Lives" Sanctuary Worship song