This is going out on Thanksgiving Day 2016. As I think about all that happens today – food, football, shopping – I hope you will take time to say ‘Thank You’ to God.
In an earlier post, The Attitude of Gratitude, I talked about the story of one leper who who came to thank Jesus for cleansing him. You can read this story in Luke 17:11-19. Ten were cleansed, but only one came to thank Jesus.
As I have read this story over and over again, I discover a few principles about the attitude of gratitude….
Gratitude is the proper response to God’s blessing
This grateful leper recognized that he had received a tremendous gift. Leprosy had changed his life into a hopeless situation. It had affected his body, his relationships, and his soul. But Jesus brought hope back into his life. He was changed; he would never be the same again, and He had to say thanks.
The others were cleansed. But in the excitement of their new health, they forgot their former condition, their cries for help, and the miraculous response of Jesus. It is so easy for us to forget all the good things that happen to us. In the excitement of God’s blessings, we often forget where they came from. Or maybe we become accustomed to the blessings and the thrill has lessened. We neglect to thank God for common blessings.
Being thankful is a courteous and appropriate response to a kind deed or action. We teach our children to say ‘Thank You.’ Though it should be, gratitude is not an automatic response. Jesus never solicited a grateful response. He didn’t tell any of them to come back and thank Him. They all should have, but He did not require it. Gratitude is a voluntary response from a heart that recognizes God’s blessings and desires to place the attention where it should be – at the feet of Jesus.
Gratitude compels humble action
This grateful leper recognized that He had received a great gift and his action reflected the magnitude of the gift. He did not simply receive a nice gift. Because he had been radically improved, he responded with radical gratitude at the feet of Jesus. Falling at someone’s feet is a picture of submission and worship. He soiled the very flesh that had just been made clean by falling before the Savior. The voice that cried for healing now rose with a loud cry in gratitude.
I don’t know what motivated the grateful leper to move and the others to stay away. But I know his movement reflected his recognition of the miracle. Our gratitude reflects our deep understanding of the work God has done in our hearts. Jesus taught in another instance that the more we are forgiven, the more we respond in love (Luke 7:47). We all need forgiveness, but most of us don’t recognize our sinfulness enough to be truly grateful. Too often we feel like we somehow deserve the blessings. The measure of our gratitude reveals the measure of our humility.
Most of us would never say we are not grateful for what God has done for us. But often we are like the Pharisee, who was simply grateful that he wasn’t like the publican (Luke 18:9-14). But it was the publican who, like this leper, bowed in humility and was made whole (justified). It is when we think we deserve God’s blessings that we become less grateful. As we remain humble, we will be motivated to express our gratitude more.
Gratitude is a rare attitude
Ten people were touched with God’s power, but only one returned to give Him thanks. Nine were content to receive a blessing, but only one cared enough to return to the source of the blessing. How could anyone not feel thankful after being healed like this? But only one returned to Jesus to say thanks.
If this story is any indication of human nature, only about 10% of us express our gratitude. To make it personal, we probably miss nine out of ten opportunities to be grateful. I’m sure the other nine were grateful, but they failed to express it. I believe Jesus is still saddened by how few of us actually express thanksgiving to Him.
In studying this story, I discovered a slight variation in the meaning of grateful and thanksgiving. We often use them interchangeably, but there is a difference. Grateful is an attitude. Thanksgiving is the action in response to a grateful attitude. This story teaches that we need both. One without the other isn’t complete. Being grateful without expressing thanks is just rude. Expressing thanks without being truly grateful is hypocritical.
Gratitude is an evidence of a deep work of God
Ten were cleansed but only one heard the words, “Your faith has made you whole.” Expressing gratitude lets us know we are on the right path to wholeness. Humble faith combined with heartfelt gratitude is a combination that will truly bring God’s best into our lives.
The other nine were no longer leprous, but they were still sick at heart. It was his display of humility, dependence, and appreciation for Jesus’ goodness that brought this grateful leper to the feet of Jesus. It was an act of worship. He did not just want God’s blessings and miracles, He wanted a personal relationship with Jesus. He wanted to be close to the One who was so kind to him.
When we really understand what God has done for us in saving our soul, it results in a desire to be close to Him and perform grateful acts of service. When gratitude is part of our life, it changes our attitudes, our relationships, and our actions.
Like leprosy, sin is a deadly problem only Jesus can fix. Like these men, to be cleansed from our sin begins with admitting our need and crying out to Jesus. As we realize the great miracle He has done for us, our proper response is gratitude. As Paul encourages us, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
So how can we cultivate an attitude of gratitude?
The supreme way to show gratitude for all you have been given is to humble yourself before God, admit your sinful condition, and beg for forgiveness. Jesus is the perfect Gentleman and will never force you to follow Him. He loves you so much and wants to have a relationship with you. Turn to Him today.
If you have surrendered all you are to Him, I hope you realize the tremendous blessings you have been given. Like the Johnson Oatman hymn reminds us, “Count your many blessings. Name them one by one.” Maybe if we spent more time being thankful for what we have, we will have more to be thankful for.
To practice the attitude of gratitude, try one of ten ideas:
- Practice thanking God for every circumstance.
- Be grateful for little things.
- Say ‘Thank You’ more.
- Consider what you possess rather than what you lack.
- Hang out more with grateful people.
- Every day tell someone why you appreciate them.
- Do not let pride stand in the way of thanking God and others.
- Begin your day by listing 5 things in which you are thankful.
- End your day by thanking God for 3 things that happened to you.
- Keep a Gratitude Journal.
You can read some other articles about gratitude: The Attitude of Gratitude, The REAL first Thanksgiving.