It’s funny, if not a bit ironic, that we read verses on gratitude on Thanksgiving Day. That we do it on the day isn’t the funny or ironic part. We should indeed. The ironic part is that most all the “thankful” verses in the New Testament demand constant gratitude. “Always being thankful,” appears multiple times in the writings of Paul. We only pay attention to the “thankful” verses on one day a year. And the thankful verses tell us to be thankful, not once a year, but all the time. (I wonder if this is how I normally treat Scripture?)
I get it. It’s easy to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day. And I’m thankful that our country sets aside a day to, indeed, practice gratitude. But what about the whole “always giving thanks” stuff? Is that even possible? I think so.
We get a clue in Colossians 3. Consider. . .
“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him . . . overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 3:6-7)
Interesting.
I am most thankful, and remain in a posture of thankfulness, when I am receiving things (Birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving Day - when I go back for my fourth plate of food, etc.). It’s easy to be grateful when you are receiving. And I think this is Paul’s point. Notice he says, “just as you have RECEIVED Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him” (emphasis mine). Paul wants the Colossians to always be receiving. He would agree with the great theologians Journey: “Don’t Stop Receiving!” (I know it’s “believing” but work with me here.) The Colossians would be able to overflow with gratitude if they were being overwhelmed with receiving.
How did you receive Jesus as Lord? You were desperate. Helpless. Needy. Sinful. Spiritually dead. Reliant. Unable to do. Open handed. You had nothing. He gave everything. You were blind. Now you see. Paul says to continue to live like this! Don’t receive Jesus then move on to something else. No! Continue to receive Jesus. Continue to rely. Remain desperate. Keep your hands open. Look for His ruling and loving presence constantly. He’s giving, if you will but look.
Perhaps we rarely overflow with gratitude because we live in a posture of “doing for” God rather than “getting from” God. Maybe we think Christian maturity is graduating upward to working for God. Maybe we think if we work hard enough for Him that He will thank us for all we are doing. Again, NO! We constantly receive from Him! We constantly need Him! We were never intended to “move on” past a posture of receiving Jesus and His kingdom action in the world and our lives.
Be thankful today. Go around the table and share what you are most thankful for. Get that fourth plate of food, but leave room for pie. Heat up the leftovers 3 hours after you told yourself not to eat again until tomorrow. But be thankful tomorrow too. And the way to do that is by remember you never stop receiving.
Amen! Thankful every day for Him and bringing us to Tennessee - and for your inspirational messages, Pastor Matt!