"If we didn't already know but were asked to guess the kind of people Jesus would pick out for special commendation, we might be tempted to guess one sort or another of spiritual hero-men and women of impeccable credentials morally, spiritually, humanly and every which way. If so, we would be wrong. Maybe those aren't the ones he picked out because he felt they didn't need the shot in the arm his commendation would give them. Maybe they're not the ones he picked out because he didn't happen to know any. Be that as it may, it's worth noting the ones he did pick out."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life" p.256)
There always seems to be a stereotype out there that Christians are perfect people. Have it all together. Always in a happy mood. An army of Ned Flanders running around doing good. Underlying that is the stereotype that all Christians pretend to be that.
Actually I know very few that are or even pretend to be. I've met some remarkable people of faith in my life, but I also know that many of them have some serious flaws, not ones that make them evil, but ones that keep them from being all that they can be. I also know some who cannot even see the good with themselves.
"Blessed are you," Jesus begins his sermon on the mount with 10 different groupings. Fitting into any of those groups would not exactly make one feel blessed by the way. And yet he is saying here's the silver lining, here's how we make lemonade out of your current lemon. Here's the reason to keep striving when you feel like quitting.
It would cheapen the message to call it a pep talk, but there are some resemblances. Most of us do better when we feel appreciated, when the work we do is acknowledged. Most of us can keep on keeping on, when we feel there's something worth striving for.
Blessings,
Ed
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