And be thankful.
I received a marketing email this week announcing Apple’s app of the year awards. Top of the list was Bears Gratitude, which allows the user to journal stuff they’re thankful for. Gratitude, it seems, is good for us: it helps us cultivate personal positivity.
Indeed it does – but of course the question is: gratitude to who? It is hard to think of gratitude as a truly meaningful concept without knowing who we’re thanking. Gratitude to the universe for being what it is? This is gratitude with nobody listening!
One of the many wonderful things about being a Christian is knowing Who we give thanks to. We have the privilege of knowing a heavenly Father who made the world who governs it day and night. We know Whom to thank for the food we enjoy, the parks we can walk in, the friends we have fun with, and, of course, for our wonderful salvation in Christ.
For the Christian, gratitude is not something we do just for our well-being, but because it is only right, in view of God’s gifts to us. But – and this is where the app has got it right in a limited sense – gratitude is also good for us. The book we’ve been reading in morning church, Colossians, helps us to see this.
Do you want to be protected from error in your Christian life? Paul tells the Colossians to be overflowing with thankfulness (Col 2:7) because false teachers are troubling the church by telling them they need more than Jesus. These Christians will be far less vulnerable to such nonsense if they call to mind the amazing blessings we have in Him.
Do you want a church full of peace? Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace, says Paul, and then adds: and be thankful. (Col 3:16) Peace in a fellowship and thankfulness go together, for it is envy, resentment, bitterness and anxiety which drive strife: gratitude helps dissolve these.
Do you want to sing meaningfully when we meet? Paul writes: Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your heart. (Col 3:17) What really makes the music fly is not just a good band (though thank you, bands), or a great tune, but gratitude in our hearts looking for an outlet.
Do you want a general principle for your conduct? Paul continues: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. A great test for every activity is: can I look God in the eye and thank Him for it?
Let’s cultivate an attitude of gratitude! And thank you for reading!
