blessed?

last weekend a friend introduced me to The Trachead Family's Praise Invasion. It is good stuff! Check it out here: http://www.trachead.com/

But in a few of the songs they talk about God blessing us or asking God to bless us with riches and cars and nice clothes and expensive things. It bothered me but I couldn't figure out why and tonight it hit me. How does God bless us? I think as Americans we often see blessings as material things or comfortable situations. But I am learning more and more that God never called us to be comfortable.  In Matthew 5 we find the beatitudes.

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Obviously, God's blessings are different than what we often think they are. We often believe that following Christ will led us to the perfect relationship, the greatest friendships, the most amazing family life, that we will live in luxury and make the rest of the world wish they were "blessed" like us. And God could chose to bless us that way. But I think we are missing out on the biggest blessing when we expect these things. 

God blesses us with the Kingdom of Heaven, with comfort, with the whole earth, with ultimate satisfaction, with mercy undeserved, with HIMSELF, and with the ability to be His children. 

These blessings are so much greater than worldly things. I so often forget that. So next time we ask God for blessings, let's remember the true blessing and long for more of Jesus!