Blessing and Rejoicing by Jan Powell

Blessing and Rejoicing

by Jan Powell

“Looking at his disciples, he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets’”

(Luke 6:20-23, NIV).

I want people to like me. I also want people to like my writing. My desire for approval encompasses my clients, my church, and other relationships. I long to be valued.

Luke’s words help me believe my writing will bless, entertain, or motivate. My hours of thought, composition, and rewriting can ripple beyond the little pond of my life.

Luke says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” The world says, “Be depressed because of your poverty.” But God tugs me along the hard path with a greater vision—himself and his kingdom.

I’ve experienced the poverty of money, ideas, time, and discipline. When my head drops back on the pillow, and I fumble to press the snooze button, Jesus calls me. My hand, tempted by sloth, flings off my covers, and my feet touch the floor. Fuzzy morning thoughts tighten into clarity, and he banishes my scarcity.

When the world taunts me with, “You’re a failure,” I focus on dwindling finances, rising prices, and despair. Hardship stomps my creativity to dust, but God reminds me that he is my provider and draws me back to the blank computer screen.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

His banqueting table is always full, and he dines with me.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Jesus wept. I’ve learned that when I weep, he comforts me. Then, lifted, I see eternity. I not only smile but also laugh at the futility of “no-faith-for-this” thoughts.

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

My imperfections make me a target for the world’s hate. Some people with whom I’ve hung out, worked, and even worshipped suddenly shifted in availability and attitude. I’ve been ghosted and judged.

How is that a blessing?

I find help when I change my view of hateful treatment to recognize Jesus as its primary target. Long before I suffered, he suffered. I am not alone. He is with me.

As writers, we don’t naturally rejoice when miserable. So, we learn to peek behind heaven’s curtain and view losses and wounds differently. Jesus bandages our scars, and in his grip, we rejoice. What Satan meant for evil, God will turn to good.

Very present Lord, stretch to see my day from your perspective, and no matter what, exercise my voice with rejoicing. Amen.

Jan Powell, a graduate of the University of South Florida, helps writers through Writing with You, offering editing, rewriting, and coaching for fiction and non-fiction. Published in The Wordsmith Journal and Splickety, she has written for Inkspirations since the beginning. Her in-depth editing includes poetry, devotionals, memoirs, fantasy, murder mysteries, thrillers, romantic suspense, and flash fiction. She has hosted Tampa Word Weavers for almost two decades and has served in its leadership.