Our Sunday morning message series, Growing, has taken us through the summer. Bible study. Prayer. Fasting. Solitude. Community. Evangelizing. Serving. Contentment. Gratitude. Each one an integral part of faith as a Christ follower. 

Some things seem relatively simple. And others? Terrifying. How each one of us responds and participates is as unique and individual as we are. What season of life we are in, along with our life journey will translate differently. When I was a young mom, finding a way to read my Bible seemed impossible. I learned ways to creep downstairs without waking the boys, and stayed with it, even when it seemed lacking. 

Evangelizing? Break out the Benadryl! I envisioned cornering folks on the street, using a bullhorn or getting up on a platform. Not at all. Once I learned sharing my faith with others did not need to be more than telling what Jesus means to me. My personal experience, not a dissertation.

What may be challenging for me, may not be for you. We are all called to live out what we profess. I first heard years ago, from an outspoken musician, Keith Green, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger.” Only God is able to see our hearts, and he is the only one who knows our intentions and motivations. 

Many world religions have a framework that may mirror Christianity, and in looking at gratitude, there are quite a few. 

From WhyIslam.org

"According to Islam, one of our foremost duties is to be grateful to God for all of His blessings. We can describe three levels of thankfulness:

1. To realize and appreciate all blessings by and within the heart.

2. To say thanks with the tongue.

3. To express gratitude by doing righteous deeds."

From Jewish Pathways

"The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat hatov, which means, literally, 'recognizing the good.' Practicing gratitude means recognizing the good that is already yours... But most of us tend to focus so heavily on the deficiencies in our lives that we barely perceive the good that counterbalances them. We live in a world permeated by advertising that constantly reveals to us all the things we don't have - and tells us how satisfied we would be with ourselves and our lives, if only we would buy their product."

from Hinduism Today

“When something is done that is good, helpful or loving, it is often overlooked, treated as something expected. No acknowledgement is shown, no gratitude expressed. But if a shortcoming is seen, everyone is swift to point it out! Gratitude is a quality of the soul. It does not depend on how much we possess. Its opposite, ingratitude, is a quality of the external ego. When we abide in soul consciousness, we give thanks for whatever we have, no matter how little or how much. When in ego consciousness, we are never grateful or satisfied, no matter how much we have.”

Dharma Talk by Zen Buddhist Teacher Deirdre Eisho Peterson

“Hungry Ghosts... are said to have necks as thin as needles, so very little food can pass through, and they have great distended bellies, so they are ravenous... in continual torment because they have this great hunger that cannot be satisfied... The type of Hungry Ghost may be different for each of us, but the energy behind the hunger is the same. There is something we crave, something we feel that we desperately need to be happy... For the Buddha, the recognition of the suffering that comes from our desires, our dissatisfactions, was the foundation for his teaching.”

The scripture of the message on gratitude comes from Luke’s gospel, chapter 17. The story of Jesus and the ten lepers. Jesus was passing between Samaria and Galilee on his way to Jerusalem. The ten lepers cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” vs 13

Jesus saw them, told them to show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were healed. Jesus saw them, he spoke to them and they went on their way. Healed, and once the priest saw them, they would be restored into the community. Isolated and prevented from living life with their families and friends, they had lonely and monochrome lives. Until the day they cried out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us”. They literally were made new. Can you imagine? I would be thinking of where I could now go, who I could embrace and do life with. I would like to think I’d be grateful for the gift before stepping into my new lease on life. 

How many gifts have I been given from the God who created me and never gave it a thought? How many times have I been one of the nine who walked away without glancing back, without expressing gratitude? Many more times than I would be able to recall.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 We are to give thanks in all circumstances, not necessarily for the circumstances. 

So, here’s the thing. Our amazing Creator gave us life. Jesus gave His life for us and the Holy Spirit lives in us. There isn’t one thing I did for physical life and nothing I did or gave for eternal life. I have been on the receiving end in every way. What’s not to be grateful for???

Thank you God for your indescribable gift of life and love.

Becky on: Aug 26th, 2024 03:23pm

Although it isn’t easy, I have been learning to be grateful in all things…even those things I really don’t “feel” like being grateful for!