028 - Gratitude For The Blessing(s)
“If I Ever Took A Loss, I Learned A Lesson.” - Lecrae from “Blessings”
As I began to delete and deactivate profiles that did not serve me anymore, nor ever have, I also began to consider the numerous times I may have messaged family and friends to check something out, only to find them non-existent in the metrics. Things have begun to take off, and I see a lot of strangers when I take a look at the analytics. Right as the second negative thought began to muster, I forced my mind to think of my homie, Jesus, and what he would do. That does sound cheesy to most, but it made me arrive at gratitude, and namely, being grateful for those who have arrived, or the platforms, like this one, that have begun to serve. The first blog that I had made came via Blogger, and like my email(s), they were powered by Google (my pops would remind me there is an Indian CEO, like that would make me more interested in the company, but historically it has done the opposite). Again, Jesus, my homie, told me to stick to the script and think of what I am grateful for. Naturally, since I lean heavily on my music for answers, I fired up my YouTube playlist for Hip Hop and stumbled on this, which I have also embedded below, which my CMS makes it effortless, albeit that is not by Google. I just stumbled on a couple of technologies and platforms that have been a blessing, lol.
As I recently cancelled my ChatGPT “offering”, I realized, somehow, I had been given a period of Gemini to try and use. I asked it a few questions that seemed pertinent to me:
What does the Bible say about blessings?
How does it relate to the Lecrae song?
If God has poured it in my heart that “the answers I seek are in the music that finds me”, I wanted to prove it, for myself. Here is what I found:
In the Bible, a blessing goes beyond material wealth to encompass God's favor, forgiveness, and his presence in the lives of believers, especially during times of trial. Lecrae's song "Blessings" aligns with this biblical understanding by emphasizing gratitude for non-material gifts and growth gained through hardship rather than focusing on tangible riches.
What the Bible says about blessings
While the Bible does speak of material and physical prosperity as a blessing, it also teaches a deeper, more enduring definition that is focused on one's relationship with God. Trust in God brings blessing: A core theme is that a blessed life comes from trusting and obeying God, not from a person's own efforts. Jeremiah 17:7-8 compares a person who trusts in the Lord to a tree planted by water, whose leaves remain green even in a year of drought.
Blessings can come through suffering: In the Beatitudes, Jesus reveals an "upside-down" kingdom, where the definition of "blessed" includes those who mourn, are meek, and are persecuted for righteousness' sake. James 1:12 promises a "crown of life" for those who "remain steadfast under trial". Ultimate blessing is found in Christ: The most profound blessing is the forgiveness and new life found through faith in Jesus. Spiritual blessings, such as peace and redemption, are eternal and far outweigh temporary, earthly benefits.
Every good gift is from God: James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above." This perspective encourages gratitude for all things, big and small, as they come from God's hand. Giving and sharing blesses others: The Bible promotes using your blessings to help others. This generosity is itself a blessing and a godly act. Proverbs 11:25 notes that "whoever brings blessing will be enriched". Ingratitude can block blessings: Deuteronomy 28:47-48 warns that not serving God with "joyfulness and gladness of heart" for his abundant provision can lead to negative consequences. A key part of living a blessed life is acknowledging God's gifts with a grateful heart.
How Lecrae's song "Blessings" relates to the Bible
Lecrae's 2017 song, "Blessings" (ft. Ty Dolla $ign), echoes and modernizes these biblical themes by distinguishing true blessedness from superficial materialism. Redefining blessings: The song challenges the common, modern-day use of "blessed" to describe material possessions. Lecrae's lyrics emphasize that he was blessed even "before the come up" and that material gain is not the true measure of a fortunate life.
Counting non-material gifts: Lecrae's lyrics encourage counting your blessings beyond material things, emphasizing gifts like waking up in the morning, having loved ones, and spiritual growth. The song's hook, "Baby, I'm too busy counting all these blessings / Count it up, count it up, count it up," is a directive to focus on the truly important gifts.
Finding lessons in loss: The line, "If I ever took a loss, I learned a lesson," reflects the biblical idea that suffering can be a path to spiritual growth. Instead of letting hardships cause stress, Lecrae demonstrates a focus on the knowledge and resilience gained from those experiences, a perspective that aligns with passages like James 1:12.
Humility over pride: By stating "I won't ever think I'm better than the next man," Lecrae echoes the biblical call for humility. This is a contrast to the pride that often accompanies materialistic success and directly addresses the potential for a misconstrued definition of blessings to breed arrogance.
Trusting in God's provision: The lyrics allude to trusting in God for provision, rather than relying on one's own efforts. Lecrae's story about running out of gas and not being embarrassed shows his trust, and the phrase, "all we need is all we got," reflects contentment with God's sufficiency.
The message of Lecrae's song provides a powerful modern-day illustration of the biblical perspective on blessings. It encourages listeners to find contentment and gratitude in God's provision and favor, especially when worldly circumstances may seem to indicate a lack of fortune. This serves as a great starting point for discussing the importance of a spiritual perspective on life, even when material blessings seem distant.
Gemini Spinning Out A Lotus Flower
Some Gratitude:
These links and spots were read and consumed to formulate what I was writing and even to understand if I was on the right path. For them all I am grateful.
“Blessing: It Doesn’t Mean What You Think” by Sarah Phillips (06/18/2019)
Lyrics on Musixmatch
Lecrae Feat. Ty Dolla $ign "Blessings" Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified
“Understanding Blessing - More Than Just Stuff” by InterVarsity
Thanks for reading, and I hope this post made you slightly more grateful.
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Manish Miglani | Mani
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Techno Artist. AI Innovator. Building Sustainable Futures in Music, Space, Health, and Technology.
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CEO & Co-Founder: MaNiverse Inc. & Nirmal Usha Foundation
Website: http://www.manimidi.com
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QoTD: “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." - Thomas Jefferson
