The Beatitudes {Leading by Example}: Blessed are Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

If I made a list of the things for which I “hunger and thirst” (meaning desire or seek after), it might look something like this:

• coffee
• sleep
• more coffee
• chocolate
• a fun tv show
• my kids to get along
• financial security
• getting to hang out with my friends
• even more coffee
• health for myself and my family and friends
• physical safety
• approval of others
• success in my work

Don’t judge.  I really like coffee.  And also sleeping.

But the fact of the matter is that none of the things on my list are going to result in me being filled (satisfied, content).  Obviously, caffein wears off…  I may sleep really well one night and the next night be up with a sick child.  Even the best TV series will come to an end (I miss you West Wing and Gilmore Girls!!).  I may feel happy and satisfied when someone compliments my work, but if that’s what I base my sense of self on then I’ll be devastated when (not if) someone critisizes me.

None of the things on my list are bad things.  But none of them are meant to be ultimate things.

When I was pondering which beatitude to focus on, I didn’t know what kind of week I was going to have.  And let me tell you, it has NOT been a good week.  But it HAS made me check my focus.  I get to pick, right now, what kind of example I’m going to be to my children and to those around me.  What am I going to hunger and thirst for in these difficult circumstances?  What am I going to seek after?  What do I feel will satisfy me?  My gut reactions (other than coffee), are things that would probably make the situation worse. Here’s what I’m tempted to think will satisfy me:

• Being heard
• Being right
• Justice
• Being angry
• Having someone apologize

Annoyingly, that is not what the Bible says I’m supposed to be seeking.  It says that I will be satisfied not by being angry or being right, but by seeking the righteousness of God.  Whoah.  Not my first instinct.  Stopping and asking some tough questions: “How can I behave in a way that will bring Glory to God?”  “How have I contributed to the problem?”  “Who can I pray for and encourage?”  The more I make this about God and his kingdom and plan, and the less I make it about me, the more blessed I will be.   A little bit further in the Sermon on the Mount (where the Beatitudes are found), Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you”.  If I trust God and his great love for me, then I can focus on hungering after righteousness.

I also hope that I will have the strength to model this to my kids.  I pray that they will see me asking the tough questions and trying to think of others and that they will know that I am trying to do the right thing. Then it won’t be hypocritical when I point them in the direction I think would be most pleasing to God.

Christina shared last week about her thoughts on the verse “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”  And if you’d like more ideas ideas for teaching children about spiritual truth, follow our pinterest board.