Some friends that are missionaries in Ghana posted one time that they got to take their first hot shower in over two months! Immediately, I was convicted and drawn into a state of thanksgiving. I mean, hot showers are a luxury we don't even recognize living here in the US. It's just an expectation, really. When I was little, my parents purchased a small farm in Ohio. It was 160 acres with a century old barn sitting on the property and a dilapidated old house. They spent their weekends at the farm fixing up the barn and tearing down the house to build a new one. I was probably 6 or so and remember driving the 2 hours each weekend to "camp out" so they could work. We would take baths in an old stone water trough. (Thankfully there were no animals or anything there, so it was relatively clean spring water bubbling up. I think. Hmmm. It was COLD water - that's all I remember. :) So I can certainly understand the significance of a hot shower, Ghana friends! Anyway, right now my mind is filled with thoughts of how good I have it compared to many, many people across this world.
I believe that being thankful is something that draws us closer to the Father. Ephesians 5:20 says we should be giving thanks at all times for everything. 1 Thess 5:18 is similar, saying "Thank God in everything (no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks), for this is the will of God for you (who are) in Christ Jesus (the Revealer and Mediator of that will)." No matter what's going on... this isn't always the natural inclination of my heart. Our family faced a few health issues over the past 6 months, which to be perfectly honest, took the wind out of my sails a bit. It's been nothing compared to what some face, but I saw how easily the experience tossed me around. I almost felt ashamed that it could cloud my view so easily. What I knew to be true was not what I was experiencing, and instead of being thankful, I felt disappointed and disenchanted.
Through the trial, I kept hearing Him calling me to be thankful. No matter what. Thankful for life…for doctors…for hope…for healing that's on its way. I am believing for His healing and His provision. I am thankful for 'eyes to see'. I am thankful for His love and mercy. I am thankful for precious family and friends to walk through life with. I believe it gives us a huge 'leg up' on the enemy to be thankful in the midst of affliction. That turkey may be throwing things at us, trying to steal our joy, kill our dreams and destroy our lives, but we can turn and face the Lord and receive His grace and provision to get through. I came upon this verse and it struck such a chord in my heart. "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10) I already feel Him grounding me and strengthening me and settling me. And it feels good!
God never leaves us or forsakes us. Never. Being thankful helps our minds focus on the good. And reminds us to be humble. We have because God gave. Kris Vallotton says, "True humility is born out of an awareness of God's greatness, grows in a heart full of gratitude, and matures in the awe of His passionate love for us." Isn't that good? It refreshes me to read that.
So I guess I just wanted to encourage a state of thanksgiving. Jesus sure did a lot for us so that we'd live a life connected to Him. So that we'd have eternity with Him. So that we'd be healed and restored. So that we'd inherit with Him the Kingdom of God that cannot be shaken. Though we suffer temporarily, it will not always be so. We will one day walk on streets of gold, gazing upon the beauty and the splendor of His very face. Spend time today just thanking Him for the very breath in your lungs. Think upon the generous heart of our God. I believe it will usher you into His beautiful presence and fill you to overflowing with peace and joy.
I remember a long time ago hearing a song called "Come Fall On Us" by Enter the Worship Circle. Some of the lyrics are…
"The Mighty One, The Lord, calls to all the earth. From the rising of the sun to the place it makes its bed. He calls His people, and we will listen. He will not keep silent 'til we feel the Fire again. The mighty One the Lord, calls to all the earth. For a heart that would bow down, for a head that He could lift. With eyes of mercy, a burning passion. He will not keep silent 'til we feel the Fire again. A thankful heart prepares the way for You my God! Come fall on us, we fall on You. A thankful heart will be our rhythm. A thankful heart will be our song."
So let's all allow a thankful heart to be our song to the Lord today! Sing a new song to Him…a song of thanks.
