It was interesting being taught to say thanks as I grew up.
It became such an established thing to say that it annoyed a few people around me at various stages as well as made others see me as odd. Why would I say thank you for virtually everything?It seemed unnecessary.
It’s one thing to do something out of habit, it’s another thing to do something out of habit with heartfelt understanding. I was conditioned to say thanks, but cultivating a heart of gratitude took a lot longer and required a journey in itself.
A journey into looking at where the heart of gratitude comes from and why it’s important. That heart is sensitive to recognising what has been done on my behalf. Not only what has been done, but how I have benefited from the action as well as the sentiment behind it. Whether it was merited or not, there is still the degree in which my life has been better and the response to that is not just to say ‘thanks’ but to convey with that a heart that acknowledges and appreciates what it has received.
On the merit issue, though, it’s particularly apt to note how often it is that I benefit in so many ways from occasions in which I did nothing or could do nothing to earn it. Good people in my life, gifts of outstanding characters that nurture and develop my love of Jesus and love of life, resources and experiences aplenty designed to cultivate the character of Christ all the more in me. These things and more are not things that I deserve. Yet here I am being blessed abundantly by them. It really does seem short-sighted and ignorant to overlook that and not give it the kudos it deserves. That’s not an action or a conditioned response from rote – that’s about a heart that has been broken by the love of Jesus to be restored by His grace to truly be receptive and responsive to the reality that life is not primarily about my accomplishments and achievements. Life is about His grace and His kindness, His mercy and patience and all of that expressed in a brand new day and plenty of brand new opportunities to be grateful for all He does and all He is.
Progress on the journey would not be possible without Him and all He has done for me. Steps are made closer to the destination because He that rescued me is for me and lives in me to fulfil in me all He’s called me to be for His honour and glory. In the light of those amazing truths it’s understandable to stand amazed in the presence of Him. Then humbly sit in admiration of what He has done. Before gratefully bowing down in worship at His wonder, His splendour and His outstretched hand to us.
That is not something that happens overnight and it’s not something we can afford to take for granted. It’s a heart that’s essential for the journey. Fittingly, it’s a heart for which we give thanks to God for creating in us.
(Photo by Alexander Sinn on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 