I’m sure many people made a list of New Year’s Resolutions. It’s also normal to make a list of Christmas gifts. It’s wise to make a grocery list. However, one list that we don’t hear much about is a “Gratitude List – Things we are thankful for.”
I challenge you to make a “Gratitude List”. Possible, make a new list every day or evening – a list of 3 things you are thankful for every day. It will amaze you the change that will happen in your attitude and experiences when you make a “Gratitude List.”
Your list might not be the same as mine. I’m sure some things are the same: health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. I’m thankful for my salvation and our church family. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Here are some you may not have thought of:
- I am thankful for the taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
- I’m thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
- I’m thankful for all the complaining I hear about our Government because it means we have freedom of speech.
- I’m thankful for my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
- I’m thankful for the partner who hogs the covers every night, because it means they are not with someone else.
- I’m thankful for the child who is not cleaning their room, but is watching TV, because it means they are at home and not on the streets.
- I’m thankful for getting too many emails because it means my friends are thinking of me.
- I’m thankful for the pile of laundry and ironing because it means my loves ones are nearby.
- I’m thankful for all the windows that need washed and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
One of the tragedies of our society is that never have people had so much to be thankful for and yet are so unthankful.
As Jesus makes His final trip to Jerusalem, we discover that He teaches us some things about thankfulness.
Here’s the story:
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. – Luke 17:11-19
What life lessons should we learn about thankfulness?
1 – Thankfulness is the right response to God’s mercy.
We teach our children to always say thank you when someone gives you a gift. We should always say thank you to Jesus for His greatest gift – salvation.
If you think about it, we are all spiritual lepers and in need of God’s mercy. This story illustrates what God does for us in salvation.
- We have a deadly problem that only Jesus can fix.
- We must admit our need and cry out to Jesus.
- Jesus cleanses all who call on Him for mercy.
- God’s cleansing isn’t released until you act in faith.
- Run to Jesus to thank Him for His cleansing.
Has God been good to you? Has there been something that happened to you that you know God was watching out for you? Turn to Him to say ‘Thank you.’
2 – Misery loves company but thankfulness walks alone.
In the common tragedy of their leprosy, these men forgot they were Jews and Samaritans. They only knew that they were in need. And together they cried out to Jesus to have mercy (Not necessarily to cleanse them of leprosy). One of the things that should draw all men together is their common need of God’s help.
Rather than perform a miracle, Jesus sent them to the priest. The priest would examine them and pronounce them clean. In faith, they obeyed and traveled to the priest. Jesus cleansed them as they went, but it was their faith that released the power.
Nine of the men either went to the priest, back to the family, or took off in celebration. One returned to Jesus to give thanks. All 10 obeyed the Lord’s command, expressing faith. That was good. But one returned to give thanks. That was better.
Up to this point, the 10 men had acted in unison. All cried for mercy, all obeyed His command and started to the priest, all had been healed. At that point, the union broke as one of them turned back to Jesus. Few express thanks. And sometimes it is the one most unlikely to do this.
If this is indication of human nature, we probably miss about nine out of ten opportunities to be grateful. Be the one who stops to say thanks. Whether to God, your teacher/coach, a friend, parent go back and make sure you say “Thanks”.
3 – Thankfulness is the key to wholeness.
Jesus didn’t tell any of them to come back and thank Him. His mercy had no strings attached. All were cleansed. All experienced a miracle. But to only one did Jesus pronounce wholeness. The other 9 were no longer leprous, but they were still not whole.
How does thankfulness make us whole?
- It forces you to focus on what is right instead of wrong.
- It connects you to something powerful.
- If focuses on went right instead of what might go wrong.
- It turns attitude into action.
- It makes you better because how you think you become.
Thankfulness changes everything by making everything in life a gift. Once you see everything as a gift, it will change how you feel about everything.
A pastor in Scotland was known for Scottish his uplifting prayers on Sunday. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, “Certainly the preacher won’t think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a terrible day like this.” Much to his surprise, however, the pastor began by praying, “We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.”