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Retooled

Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it. - Winston Churchill

I am rethinking purpose this summer. This is not to say that I am thinking of a new purpose, but more of rediscovering the purpose in the youth ministry I lead. And I think there are several good reasons to read Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in order to be refreshed. In regards to purpose, Jesus says a lot in these chapters of Matthew and Luke that are important.

For example, in Matthew 5:1-10, Jesus starts right off with what we know as the Beatitudes. Now some people simply see this section as some nice poetry where Jesus tells us to be nice. But it's more than that. He is pointing out, subtly or not, that things have been done and accepted for a long time, but there is, in fact, another way that God views things.

Blessed are the poor in spirit? Guess what? It's a good thing if you're not bragging about your good deeds. Blessed are those who mourn, who are meek, and who are merciful? Sounds like the makings of Team Weak if we apply the world's standards, but Jesus has a different objective. And while I am not exactly excited like a cheerleader at the prospects of being persecuted, I am quite passionate about doing things God's way.

So if my life, my ministry, and my way of thinking has to be retooled, then so be it. I would rather look to the original purposes given to me by God and stay true to that than to continue doing stuff the way it's always been done. After all, how many times do I want to repeat history?
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