What Do People Want in Life?

We live simply because God lives in Jesus Christ, and we can face tomorrow with all its challenges, hopes, dreams, unexpected happenings, and the joys that are often hidden in the most unexpected places - a sunset, a child's smile. We live because God's eternal holy plan for each one of us is to grow in holiness and in the image of God.

We live because it is God's loving holy plan that we might be the very ambassadors of Christ's mercy, gentleness, kindness, patience, holiness and faithfulness each day. We live because God wants us to experience Him fully, sacramentally, lovingly and reverently. We live because God has blessed us with human life from conception to know, love and serve Him in this world and be forever happy with God in the life of heaven.

What do people want in life? Basically, they want to make money, because money provides comfort and conveniences and pleasures that we would like to have. People want to have fun. The world is committed almost entirely to that. In every way we are being approached to buy this or buy that in order that we might enjoy ourselves. People want pleasure. That is what life seems to be all about -- the pursuit of pleasure. We want money, we want pleasure, and we want fame. People are always manipulating people and circumstances to acquire some degree of fame, to be seen and known. There is a passion in the human heart to be known. People will give their right arm to gain influence and standing and prestige and following.

Finally, I think that people desire to fulfill themselves. They want to manifest every capability that is within them. They want, somehow, to feel fulfilled. That is what the world lives for, isn't it? And it wants it all now, not later. What does it mean, then, to have your mind set on the Spirit? It means that, in the midst of making money and having fun and gaining fame and fulfilling yourself, you are primarily concerned with showing love, helping others, speaking truth, and, above all, loving God and seeking his glory. The only trouble with the world is that it is content with just making money, having fun, and fulfilling itself -- that is all it wants. But the mind set on the Spirit desires that God be glorified in all these things, which are proper and right. When your mind is set on the Spirit you look at the events of life from God's point of view, not from the world's. Your value system is changed and it touches everything you do. You no longer see that the important thing must be to make a lot of money. The important thing is that, in seeking to fulfill your needs, God be glorified. That is what makes the difference. That is the mind set on the Spirit. It does not remove you from life -- it puts you right back into it. But it does it with a different point of view.

The word "beatitude" comes from the Latin beatitudo, meaning "blessedness." The phrase "blessed are" in each of the beatitudes implies a current state of happiness or well-being. The expression held powerful meaning of "divine joy and perfect happiness" to the people of the day. In other words, Jesus was saying "divinely happy and fortunate are" those who possess these inward qualities. While speaking of a current "blessedness," each pronouncement also promises a future reward.

Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)