Thursday, July 24, 2014

Biweekly Bits #13: Be Thankful

After writing 26 bits, I realized that there is so much I could elaborate on with each of my bits. So I decided to turn them into a biweekly (i.e. fortnightly) series, for the next year.


Be thankful. Even when life does its absolute worst, be thankful that you are alive. Be thankful that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Be thankful when you have a cold, because it means that your immune system is functional. Just be thankful. (See also #1)

In several of his letters to the various churches, Paul calls on us to be thankful. It may seem like an obvious response, but the truth is we often forget that every good thing is a gift from God (James 1:17). God constantly and consistently provides for us, and God is good even when we are not.

Sometimes, we take for granted that the sunset, the air we breathe, the stunning flower, the majestic tree, the beautiful smile, and anything and everything that we appreciate in life come from God, the maker of all things. That alone should have us singing praises and thanks to God all day, every day. God, our Creator, is worthy of our gratitude.

In addition to this, anyone who has walked with God for even a moment has seen the ways that God provides for us. Sometimes it is through meeting our material needs, or our emotional yearnings, or our spiritual shortfalls, but every day and in every way, God's providence blesses us. We may not even realise how God has moved in our lives, but we know that the Giver of all things is constantly doing things for our good. This is a reason to give thanks! God, our Provider, is worthy of our gratitude.



But there is more! Greater than the gift of each new day, is the Gift that makes the newness of each day significant. That gift is of God's Son, Jesus, who died for our sin, and rose for our justification. Jesus' death and resurrection enable us to draw near to God, cleanse us of our unrighteousness, and give us the promise of being united with God when our lives on earth are done. And best of all, this gift was free, through the grace of God (Romans 6:23). We don't do anything to earn it, and it has no limits. We should be constantly rejoicing, giving God thanks for sending His Son to atone for our depravity. God, our Redeemer, is worthy of our gratitude.

So today, whenever you think of it, give God thanks. Sing songs of thanksgiving to God. Even when you're having the most terrible day, give God thanks that you are alive to see it, and that his mercies are new each day. Constantly and consistently remind yourself to be thankful. God has given you much.

Be blessed and shine thankfully!

No comments:

Post a Comment

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word! -Prov 15:23