“Blessing relentlessly sees a positive future, and it doesn’t add burdens to the already weary soul. Blessing buoys and strengthens and empowers. Blessing can carry a person until they can walk on their own.”- Alan Wright
[Jesus] said to [his disciples], “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”- Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV)Alan Wright concludes Chapter 7 of Seeing as Jesus Sees as he underscores our need for Jesus’ eyes to bless others powerfully. Because blessing begins with seeing. Referring to a famous sculpture of David, Alan states that Michelangelo reportedly said he envisioned the figure in the stone. Waiting to be freed.
With the image of the master sculptor in mind, author Leanne Payne describes our role as blessers. Writing in The Healing Presence (Baker Books, 1995), Leanne states:
“The artist then, is not creator. He is merely discoverer and servant to the work that is already there. The work says, ‘Release me from chaos; give me my form, my shape, my being.’ And listening to the work, the artist frees it to become, to be.”
Therefore, Pastor Wright describes people who bless as artists in the spirit. Above all, Alan observes, Jesus chiseled a “rock” out of some shifting sand. He blessed his most unsteady disciple with a new name. Yet, Simon had yet to prove himself to be rock-solid reliable. Pastor Wright continues:
“But Jesus names him Peter, the rock! . . . Jesus names people not according to their past performance but for who they can be, who they are destined to be. . . . Peter is imperfect in every way, but it’s not a person’s personal righteousness that will ground the church of Jesus Christ. It’s their faith in Christ, in Jesus’ righteousness, that will become the foundation of the church.”
No deception, religious system, idol or demon can ever stop the church of the Messiah.
Today’s question: What Bible verses tell you that blessing buoys and strengthens and empowers? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the Easter Short Meditation, “Let alleluias leap – amen!”
