| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 1 |
Page 3 |
“Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness.” It is not attainment only that Heaven approves, but the longing to attain. Saintliness is beautiful, but it takes a long while to reach it. No doubt one of the best things is to be perfect, to wear the image of Christ, but the lofty reach seems almost impossible. This is the goal, but it shines far off, and it seems to us that we cannot come up to it till we gain heaven. It is a comfort to us to know that one of the best things is longing for the best, hunger for righteousness.
“Blessed are the merciful.” Men do not praise the merciful. They commend what they call the heroic qualities. The strong, the brilliant, the clever, those who succeed even by trampling the meek under their feet, win the honours in this world. But the Master writes among those whom Heaven calls blessed the merciful, those who are pitiful toward weakness, compassionate toward the erring, patient with the dull and slow, and almoners of the divine mercy toward all.
“Blessed are the pure in heart.” Is there in all the range of the things one may live for anything that will mean more in the making of happiness than, amid all life’s experiences of temptation, to keep one’s heart pure? This is a secret of peace which insures joy and gladness, whatever the experiences may be. It transfigures the life, making it shine as with an inner light. It gives one influence over others, making one a benediction everywhere. A pure heart is one of the best things.
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” The highest of all the commendations in the Beatitudes is given to these – “they shall be called the sons of God.” Unquestionably one of the best things in all the range of life is to be a peacemaker, to exert a loving influence over others, to help to bring together those who are in danger of falling apart, to deepen and strengthen friendships. There are enough people in the world who live to kindle strifes, to widen breaches and estrangements, to make men hate each other, to encourage quarrelling and bitter feelings. No mission is diviner than to be a maker of peace between man and man.
Page 3