Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
I need God. And the more I sense my spiritual poverty, the richer I become. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, my lack always leads me to his abundance.
As some of you know, I teach Public Speaking at a local college, and the other night I experienced a first. One of my students had an epileptic seizure in the middle of class. Although I realized what was happening, I had no idea what to do. With the help of some of the other students, we were able to lay her on the floor. Then someone said, “Roll her on her side.” Another student called 911, and another gently put his jacket under her head. We felt helpless as we watched her limbs stiffen and her eyes glaze with fear.
Lord, how can I help her? I have nothing.
Kneeling beside this sweet girl, I did the only thing I knew to do. I prayed for the Lord to touch her, to calm her twisting body and quiet her spirit. The seizure lasted about 10 minutes, (but it seemed more like 30) before she “came to.” The medics arrived, checked out her vitals, and gave her the okay to go back to her dorm, accompanied by her Resident Director.
The next day I spotted her on campus. She came running up to me. “Can I give you a hug? Thank you so much for staying with me the whole time.” She told me she had never felt so much peace during a seizure. For in the midst of the epileptic fog, she kept hearing someone say, “Jesus.”
Here’s where my spiritual poverty comes in. I had nothing to offer my student. But when I cried out to the Lord, he filled me with compassion, with calmness. And he showed me how to intercede, providing exactly what she needed.
Jesus told his disciples the kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit. I experience this every time I lay down my paltry provision and cry out for him. I have nothing but I’m connected to the One who has everything.
So, friend, if you’ve been feeling poor in spirit these days, don’t be discouraged. Jesus says if you know your spiritual poverty, you are blessed.
I am in tears 😢💖thank you
Oh Anna, God is so good and so gracious.
It reminds me that we are just branches abiding in the VINE. HE is the SOURCE for our needs , the needs of those around us and ultimately the needs of the broken world in which we live.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful experience with us.