Casandra Martin

There is one word that echoes through the Beatitudes like a heartbeat. Over and over, it announces the purpose, movement, and intention of God. Blessed.

Blessed is one of those puzzling words. We warm to its rhythm. We crave its expanse. We long to be a blessed people. We count our blessings. We ache to be drenched in the delight of His blessings. Yet, interestingly enough, we struggle to define what it means to be blessed by God. Understanding this word is key to delving into the essence of the kingdom life Jesus offers us.

To be blessed means that we are connected to the heart of God. Our lives are tethered to His. Our souls are anchored in His faithfulness. More than an emotional response, being blessed is a connection that opens a living pathway between God and me. Being blessed means that my life is open to the movement of God. He is actively at work within me. I see His hand, experience His power, and surrender to His grace.

Blessed is a word that captures the beauty of transformation. As God blesses me, He changes me, moving in my life to make me new, whole, clean, and useful. When God bestows a blessing, He does so in order to tie our hearts to His. It underscores our dependence, reinforces His delight, and deepens the connection between us.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be brave enough to notice all the different ways in which I am blessed. Each blessing points me back to God. Every blessing provides me with an opportunity to look more like Jesus. Realizing how expansively God’s blessings touch every piece of who I am changes how I see the little things in my day. God is here. He loves me. He is at work around me and within me for His glory. Standing on holy ground, I begin to realize that everything has the potential to be sacred. A place to meet God and worship.  A place to stand in wonder and whisper, “I am blessed.”

Reading through the Sermon on the Mount reveals a stubborn kingdom logic that isn’t easily defined and can’t quickly be dismissed. Immanuel comes to earth to literally be “God With Us.” He walks in our shoes, sleeps in our beds, eats our food, and experiences human life with all of its beauty and pain. As He does so, He extends grace, offers hope, provides healing, and insistently asks us to look with wider eyes, listen with willing hearts, and believe that the impossible is really within reach.

Exploring the eight blessings that launch the Sermon on the Mount are enough to make me step back from the words with my hand over my mouth. These are not typical rules for ethical living or a glorified recipe for success. They encapsulate a mindset, propose a faith, and offer a vision of God that have the power to transform everything about my world.

The promises attached to these blessings are staggering. Seeing God’s face, wearing His name, receiving His mercy, being fully satisfied, experiencing deep comfort, inheriting the breadth of His faithfulness, and possessing the kingdom are beyond imagination kind of promises. “For me?” I wonder. “For anyone willing to live within the transformation I want to work in your life,” Jesus says.

Am I brave enough to believe Jesus?

My Jesus Resolution today is to pray for courage. There is a reason that “Fear Not” is the most oft repeated command in the Bible. It takes bravery and faith to step beyond what I can see into a world redefined by Love and redeemed by Grace. I have to be willing to let go of what I can control, figure out, understand, and handle myself in order to discover the wonder and wisdom of a life far different than I can imagine on my own. I want to spend the next several blogs exploring these blessings. Or perhaps better said, letting them explore, change, and redefine me. Are you brave enough to join me?

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~ Native American proverb

How is God going to bless you this year? It seems like a silly question. We don’t know what the future is going to hold. We aren’t sure how things are going to unfold, what challenges we will face, or what lies just over the horizon. How can we give thanks for what we can’t yet imagine?

Here is the truth about our God. He has seen tomorrow. He knows what each one of your minutes will hold. He knows the struggles you will face, the troubles that will scare you, the potholes that will jar you, and the exhilarating moments that will make you smile. There is no unknown where God is concerned.

There is great peace in knowing that each one of our days is fully known by God. His promises take on an added richness when we understand that He stands ready to help us face what is ahead. He assures us that His presence will be with us through the thin and thick. He guarantees sufficient grace to meet any need. He posts peace as a sentry around our hearts. His power and His provision are as close as a prayer.

Learning to give thanks in advance reminds my heart to be confident that God is on my side. He is already working on my behalf. He is preparing to move in each one of my moments in order to bring about His purpose and fulfill His glory. Being thankful relieves the worry and tension that often fill my thoughts when I look into the future. It allows me to greet each morning with worship and joy as I praise Him for the way He has already filled the day with blessings.

My Jesus Resolution today is to give thanks in advance. Being grateful encourages me to anticipate His hand on my day. When I give thanks for unknown blessings, it calls me to keep my eyes open and my heart ready. It allows me to face each situation with peace because I know that God has already seen and provided exactly what I need. Being thankful in advance changes my posture and my perspective. I don’t know how God is going to bless me today, but I know with absolute certainty that He will. Discovering those blessings is the gift that makes this day worth living.

“Resolution One: I will live for God.

Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

                                                                    – Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

The resolution of American theologian Jonathan Edwards are words worth pondering. Simple words. Deep words. Words that ring with conviction and challenge me to examine my heart.

Resolution One: I will live for God. Five words that have the power to shape a life. These words, this resolution, contain direction, inspiration, focus, motivation, and conviction. Living for God is more than a nice statement. It defines a purpose, molds a mindset, establishes boundaries, and becomes a filter through which everything must be measured. Living for God means not living for myself. That is harder than it sounds. It requires me to choose worship over whining, sacrifice over selfishness, holiness over hunger, and dedication over desire. Living for God means breathing God in with every breath, listening to Him with each heartbeat, becoming aware of His presence with each blink of an eyelid, and walking in His way with every step.

Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will. We tend to think of these kinds of statements in sweeping terms. If there is no one else on the planet who lives for God, I will be the lone voice of praise. There is truth in that, but narrowing the focus reveals my struggle. Will I live for God if I am the only one at work to do so? At school? In the neighborhood? At the party? Will I live out the integrity and intentionality of Jesus even when I am by myself? It is difficult to walk in the other direction, turn the other cheek, or step away when everyone else is moving forward. This is a resolution of commitment over compromise.

My Jesus Resolution today is to let these resolutions soak deeply into who I am. They are at the heart of The Jesus Resolution. Living for God means to live in Christ. My life finds its best expression in living out the likeness of Jesus where I live. When I live for myself, my life has fewer colors, less flavor, and weaker substance. Living for God allows His brighter, fuller, deeper, and richer blessings to bloom in my heart. “I still will” is an anthem that compels me to live out the image of Jesus among the people who touch my days. It is a determination that every person I meet will be offered a glimpse of Jesus, no matter who they are or where they stand.

Are you a resolution person? I am. I like the idea of setting goals, stretching myself, and imagining new opportunities. For me, there is hope in resolutions. It means that I am willing to explore the possibility that who I am today isn’t all I am stuck being tomorrow.

Statistically, resolutions don’t have a good track record. We start out with high hopes and good intentions, but studies show that four out of five people will give up on their resolutions, many before the end of January.

According to the dictionary, a resolution involves coming to a definite and earnest determination to follow a particular course of action or pattern of behavior. Are you smiling? Here is the secret. Resolutions are more than once-a-year opportunities to think about losing ten pounds, saving a few dollars, or starting a new hobby. Resolutions are at the heart of God’s desire for our hearts.

Resolutions open the door to transformation, and transformation is God’s great purpose for you. He wants to take you where you are today – no matter where that is – and create something new, beautiful, healthy, strong, and amazing in you. He is willing to take what is broken, bankrupt, banged up, and beleaguered, and change it. Change you. He resolved before the beginning of time to give you as much of Himself as you were willing to take in. Now He wants you to make a resolution that will give Him full access to your heart.

My Jesus Resolution today is to make The Jesus Resolution. The Jesus Resolution is an earnest determination to follow Jesus. It is a resolution to allow God to remake His image in my life, to open my heart to His heart, and live fully in His presence. It isn’t fueled by will power, but by the Spirit’s power. It isn’t grounded in my strength, but in His grace. It won’t find its completion in my effort, but in His faithfulness. Today, I once again find myself on my knees resolving to “know nothing…except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2). It will be a journey that will take me to new places. He will ask me to trust more, dig deeper, pray harder, smile bigger, worship with more awe, study more diligently, give more sacrificially, experience more joy, and invest myself in Jesus, and Jesus alone. In living that resolution, God promises hope, grace, joy, peace, and more of Him than I can possibly imagine. Will you join me in living The Jesus Resolution this year?

It was Sunday evening and we had our Bibles open. Sitting in our usual spot, we allowed the familiar rhythm of worship and study to feed our souls and open our eyes. We were seated in a row in front of people that we love. There was a couple with a small child playing on his knees, grandparents who have enveloped us into their family, and two elderly women whose constant presence is a constant encouragement.

The preacher was pointing us to the cross, helping us see the powerful way God is moving in our lives and keeping His promises to our hearts. As he asked a series of questions, I noticed something remarkable. “How many of you know God?” he asked. Hands went up all over the room, but it was two hands in particular that caught my eye. The little boy on his knees and the 102 year-old woman sitting just down from him. With equal enthusiasm and confidence, they both raised their hands. Here is the miracle of faith.

Does that little boy know God? Yes, he does. He lives with a child-like faith that puts mine to shame. He knows no doubt. He lives in the certainty of God’s unshakeable character. He breathes God in like air, aware of His presence, confident that he is treasured by the King of the Universe.

Does that 102 year-old woman know God? Yes, she does. They have spent a lifetime together. She knows what it means to walk and talk with God in the highest and lowest places of life. She is committed to letting Him lead, surrendering where she needs to, and encouraging others to do the same. He is more real to her than her own heartbeat, and she lives as His beloved.

One just beginning. One nearing the end. Both know God. Both rest in His peace, experience His grace, live in His mercy, worship His glory, and are confident of His delight. The richness of both of their faiths gives hope to mine.

“But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 9:24

My Jesus Resolution today is to get to know God better. I am going to spend time with Him, reading His Word, listening to His voice, walking with His people, and obeying His commands. I want to have the confidence and clarity of the little boy’s faith. I want to experience the deep richness of the older woman’s faith. Mostly, I want to be able to raise my hand without pausing when someone asks me if I know God.

Chaos is the name of the game at the mall during the holidays. My husband and I had ducked into the giant retail space to see about exchanging a gift. We waded through the crowded shoppers, weaving and winding our way through the streams of humanity intent on completing their lists and heading toward home.

That is when she caught my eye. A mom and her two daughters were attempting to negotiate the traffic. Mom was forging ahead, moving through the roadblocks and urging her girls to keep up. Big sister was two steps behind mom, holding little sister’s hand. Together they were an adorable pair.

Abruptly, the crowd shifted, separating little sister from her family. Small and suddenly alone, she stopped in the middle of the mass of people, frozen and overwhelmed. You could see the panic rise in her eyes. She didn’t know where to go, what to do, or who to follow.

Just as we were getting ready to step in and help, big sister reappeared. She took her little sister’s hand, peace replaced panic, and together they skipped off to rejoin their mother. Watching them walk away, God reminded me of a profound truth.

Many times, I am that little girl. I do fine as long as I have somebody to walk with, talk to, and keep up with. When I let go or decide I can travel on my own, I end up alone and frozen in the middle of the chaos, panic rising in my eyes, wondering what to do and where to turn. Joy fills the moment when someone takes my hand and reminds me to stay together.

My Jesus Resolution today is to stick to my family. Holding hands, linking hearts, and staying connected with God’s family isn’t just an idea for Sunday morning. We need each other. In the middle of this pressing, pushing, crazy, chaotic world, I need others who will watch out for me, and make sure that I stay close to those who will help me look like Jesus. I need to keep my eyes open for brothers and sisters who are stuck alone in the crushing crowds, and be willing to reach out a hand and remind them of the power of staying together.

As memories of the recent season wash over us, take a picture of the moment. Catching our breath from the stress and exhaustion that inevitably overwhelms us, draw on the comfort that met you. As life settles once more into its routine, reignite your soul with the spark of anticipation that warmed your heart as you prepared to go home for the holidays.

With all of its tinsel-wrapped glitter and lighted-ornament dazzle, the most anticipated part of the holidays is not the boxes and bags, but the warm embrace of family and the comfort of home.

Home. Let that word roll in your imagination for a moment. What picture does it bring to mind? Let your soul soak in the gentleness of your mother’s touch. Feel your father’s hand on your back as encouragement floods your heart. Lose yourself, for just a moment, in the unconditional love of those who know you best.

Does it make the day seem just a bit brighter? Is your load a little lighter? As the anticipation of holiday homecomings fades, commit to daily igniting your soul with the anticipation of going home. Not the house with the wooden door, but the mansion surrounded by pearl gates.

Heaven. Can you see it in your mind’s eye? With all its gold streets and jewel-encrusted walls, the most anticipated part of heaven is not the shimmering crystal sea, but the warm embrace of the Father and the comfort of finally being home. Close your eyes. Let your soul soak in the gentleness of the Savior’s touch. Let your heart melt as you hear the Father whisper, “Well done.” Lose yourself, for just a moment, in the unconditional love of those who know you best.

My Jesus Resolution today is to let the anticipation of that future shape my present. I am going to let thoughts of heaven fill my mind. I am going to fill my heart with the love of God’s family and dream…of going home.

God uses my kids to catch my attention. Driving in the car together, we were talking about the history of Christmas. Stockings filled with surprises find their roots in the generosity of a man named Nicholas. Evergreen trees became focal points of celebration as people left paganism and learned about Jesus. Even the name Christmas has its origin in the worship of Christ.

It was here that my youngest son threw out an observation that stopped me in my tracks. In order to understand his comment, you need to know that we live in south Texas. Hispanic culture and the Spanish language are as common here as humidity and tacos. As we were talking about the roots of the word Christmas, he acknowledged the traditional origin of the word, but noted that Christmas took on a deeper dimension if we remembered that the word mas in Spanish means “more.” Christmas becomes a season in which we can stop and acknowledge that we need more Christ.

More is a theme of the Christmas season. More toys, more clothes, more food, more electronics, more presents, more ornaments, more parties, more cards, more people, more time, more energy, more debt, more stuff, more exhaustion, more frustration, more anxiety, more expectations, and more pressure. Rarely, do we hear any one talking about the need for more Christ. And yet is there anything else that we need more than Him?

My Jesus Resolution today is to reframe Christmas into Christ-Mas. I need more Christ. I need the gift of His presence. I crave more of His grace. I long for an extra measure of His glory. I want to celebrate Christmas with new purpose. As we spend time together, I am going to ask Jesus to fill my family with Himself. Opening presents is going to direct my heart to more gratitude for the gift of His grace. Sitting at the table, I am going to be deliberate about inviting Jesus to be present in our conversation and laughter. The idea of opening our hearts and making room for more Christ during this season opens my eyes and fires my imagination. It is at the heart of my prayer for you today. Merry Christ-Mas!