Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).
To be poor in spirit does not in the least mean the thing we call “poor spirited.” To be poor in spirit means to have emptied yourself of all desire to exercise personal self-will, and, what is just as important, to have renounced all preconceived opinions in the whole-hearted search for God. It means to be willing to set aside your present habits of thought, your present views and prejudices, your present way of life if necessary; to jettison, in fact anything and everything that can stand in the way of your finding God.
How much of our lives are we willing to jettison when we discover that these aspects of our lives are blocking our search for God? Many times it is clear that something we hold dear is causing us to stray form God’s will for us. The harder part comes when we realize we must eliminate this aspect of our life that we don’t want to abandon. Some of these things are opinions, notions and preconceptions. Some of the obstacles are things we may enjoy, may feel justified in and yes, even feel are essential to our happiness. Yet, when it becomes clear that these habits, notions or convictions are against God’s will and way, we must be willing to let them go.
Whether the things blocking us from God are pleasurable or problematic, whether behavioral or mental, spiritual or secular; we must be willing to turn away from them and accept God’s truth about their harming our relationship with God. To abandon life-long habits and ways of thinking is very hard, even impossible in some cases without God’s help. Yet, when we do empty ourselves of self-will and become a open channel for God’s will and wisdom, all things become possible.
God then empowers us to desire the good, abandon the bad and submit our will to God’s will. This surrender also prepares us to accept the divine knowledge and revelation that only comes to those who seek God and act according to God’s will; regardless of the outward consequences of such action. It is then that God’s peace and the Holy Spirit moves to shape the outward consequences to effect our best good. It is then that we can walk in our gardens filled with love, hope and faith and free of fear, doubt and anxiety.
So, we must chose. Do we cling to that we want and desire, or do we embrace that which God wants for us. By accepting God’s will and emptying ourselves of self-will, we trade in our self-centered desires for joy, peace and gladness. In the process, we swap our crippled human spirit for God’s Holy Spirit. That sounds like a good trade.
Choosing God’s spirit,
Z gardener
Good Morning Garden 
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