A New Operating System, Part 1
We live in an age that tends to over promise and under deliver. We have miracle diets, extreme workouts, and creams that insist they're anti-aging. (If we're not growing old or aging, I think that means we're already dead.) We also hear lots of testimonies, even public apologies, of people "turning over a new leaf"...hmmm... I get a little skeptical whenever anyone suggests anything about life change. Change is possible but it's just not that easy. It's rarely, if ever, immediate. Lasting change requires a new operating system.
Consider the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. It's a familiar passage with, perhaps, an unfamiliar outline that suggests a new sort of operating system. The first four Beatitudes represent a journey inward. The next four is the journey outward. The reason the process is critical is because we have to create room in our heart and minds. It's like cleaning a wound before it gets bandaged.
Jesus begins each statement with, "Blessed" which is characterized by the presence of God. It also means fully satisfied, but not necessarily feeling happy. It's not satisfied by circumstances, but instead to Christ's indwelling presence. With that understanding of 'blessed', consider the process of transformation that Jesus outlines:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" 'poor in spirit' here means "fallen ones".
"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted" Mourning lays the groundwork for repentance. Since we all have failed at some point, mourning should lead us to identify with the needs around us, not just our own needs.
"Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth" Meek is rooted in the idea of soil like someone who is grounded, perhaps humble.
"Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness for they will be filled" Jesus wants us to hunger and thirst for a person not a concept or idea (like recognition, validation, promotion, prestige).
These first four Beatitudes describe an inward process of transformation. The reason is that transformation doesn't happen without brokenness. It requires us to look inward, like taking inventory of our stock pile of our life experiences, abilities, and attitudes. It's this process of brokenness that leads to yield-ness, which in turn leads to readiness.
Check out Part 2 of A New Operating System for the outward journey.
