God’s Holy Gifts.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

 I had this banner hanging from my front door during the Easter season. It was a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice for my sin and how grateful I am.

So often I hear people say “I’m just so blessed,” or #blessed is posted next to a tweet, Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook comment. I find that the word blessed is overused and often misinterpreted.

The phrase or word tends to be utilized when something good is happening in our life – i.e. New job…I am so #blessed. I have also heard the term used as a put down or veiled insult…. as in “Bless your heart”. Then there is the standard “God Bless You” when someone sneezes.

I never seem to hear it when we get a cancer diagnosis or when we lose a job. Are we #blessed only when good things happen in our life, or are we so blessed all of the time?

The definition of the word blessed originally comes from blood used in consecration, and has the following meanings:

• made holy; consecrated; sanctified
• worthy of adoration, reverence or worship
• divinely or supremely favored; fortunate
• blissfully happy or contented
• bringing happiness or thankfulness

Synonyms for blessed include holy, divine, godlike, godly, heavenly, sacred, and supernatural. Antonyms are listed as condemned, cursed, damned, unfavored and unhappy.

The word blessed is used several times throughout the Bible. Often, it is associated with harsh trials, or persecution and mocking. We are blessed when these things happen to us. Prayers of rejoicing for abundance and favor are also prevalent, and tied to blessings from God.

So are we truly blessed by God? Yes, but in all circumstances, not just when something wonderful happens in our lives. It is through His son Jesus Christ that we are made holy, consecrated and set apart. Thank God that He has #blessed me with the greatest gift of all!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”
Ephesians 1:3-4 English Standard Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO