“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” (Psalm 126:3)
We like to feed the birds in our backyard. We have feeders designed to attract bluebirds and finches and others that contain select seed for enticing cardinals and other colorful specimens. Whenever I have filled them, I almost feel as though I have created the perfect Thanksgiving meal – you know, something for everyone. While we enjoy this activity, there is only one problem. It is not unusual for there to be dozens of birds flocking into our yard and totally emptying these just filled feeders in a little over day. When they have been emptied – they move on, presumably to another neighborhood feeder. On those occasions, I can find myself thinking: “You ungrateful birds. Look what we have done for you, and you turn around and leave us when it appears that we have nothing more to give.” Then I just smile and think, “I wonder if that’s what God sometimes thinks of us when we’re ungrateful for His many blessings?”
As we experience Thanksgiving and prepare for the Advent season, we are often more conscious of those around the world who are facing difficult times. I don’t need to look any further than my own social circle where several persons whom I know have just been told that their places of employment where they have served faithfully for many years will be moving on without them. Then there are others I know whose very lives are vulnerable with the process of life-threatening diseases. As I sat at the bedside of one such friend a few weeks ago – I found myself making statements like, “We have to be grateful for the good years we have been given.” While I know the words that I spoke were true and acknowledged by my friend, I can’t help but think that such declarations are more easily-spoken when we are not the individual who is at risk. Then I remembered the words of Paul as he wrote to the church at Thessalonica. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). For if we praise God only in the best of circumstances, it would not be faith at all.
Luke tells the story of ten lepers who came to Jesus as He was entering a village. Inflicted with the most isolating disease of their day, they stood at a distance. Calling out to Him as Master in a loud voice, they asked Jesus to have pity on them. “When He saw them – He said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). Only one of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to Him to give thanks. It is then that Jesus asked several pertinent questions – “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18). The one who returned fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him. We can imagine that the other nine were also relieved that their bodies had been freed from such a devastating disease. Like we who go through life taking God’s daily blessings for granted, they failed to show their gratitude to the One who had offered healing! They missed the opportunity to praise God leading Jesus to say, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). The man who returned received both a physical and a spiritual blessing.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that we should “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” Gratitude, therefore, does not need to be reserved just for significant occasions but should be expressed for the little things as well. Thankful people make it a habit to recognize each bit of kindness that comes their way with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. In doing so, we are reminded of the bigger picture that we belong to God and dependent on Him for everything – just like the birds of the field. The difference is that He has given us the capacity to show our gratitude for His infinite love and mercy, even in the tough times. It is a choice we make to acknowledge Him or not. When we fail to do so, we fall short of a relationship with Him and are not much different than the ungrateful birds who feast on their blessings and simply move on.
REFLECTION: How can you learn to express a spirit of gratefulness during times of sadness, defeat, criticism, regret, and struggle? Would you be able to explain to someone the spiritual healing that can come from gratefulness, regardless of the circumstances? Do you think it’s possible to get on the other side of Thanksgiving without ever pausing to be grateful?
A NEW LOOKUP DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 3, 2016. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.