Blessed

In a world that increasingly defines success according to measures of wealth, power, and status, it can be hard to keep our grasp on God's vision for us. But considered in light of what the Bible teaches us, what does success truly mean?

Well, the Sermon on the Mount described in Matthew 5:1-13 is a good place to start. In it, we learn of eight spiritual attitudes or "beautiful attitudes"-Beatitudes-that can lead us to success in God's eyes.

Thoughtfully broken down into eight chapters, Blessed takes up each of the Beatitudes, illustrating them in action with stories from the Bible and providing helpful reflection questions for readers to consider.

From the purity of heart shown by the Virgin Mary to Joseph's persecution for the sake of righteousness, stories demonstrating the Beatitudes abound both in the Bible and in modern times. Likewise, the rewards available to us for living by these principles are made clear throughout the holy Scriptures, from inheriting the Earth to having claim to the kingdom of Heaven.

While it is exceedingly easy to fall prey to worldly definitions of success in the present day, Blessed reminds us that it is only through following the word of God that we can gain success that is everlasting, deep, and pure. Better yet, we already have everything we need for it right here.