What are you thankful for?
God is not merely teaching us to be grateful. Rather, we are learning what to be thankful for. This is a crucial distinction in discipleship.
Gratitude can be as ambiguous as a mass credit mailer. It’s when we name and identify that which is worthy of the kingdom of heaven that we grow in the Image of God.
There’s no question everyone on earth is thankful; some for food and shelter, others for health and wellness. Still others have what we might call “gratitude distortion”: another drink for the alcoholic, more credit when our spending lifestyle has not changed, a relational advantage over someone we can wield power…sometimes we’re thankful just because we get what we want, or think we need. The condition of our hearts is revealed by the direction of our gratitude.
Discerning what to be grateful for is as important, or more, than the measure of our gratitude. It’s possible this season could open our eyes to uncomfortable blessings: a broken heart that led you into a closet of prayer, the argument that prompts two persons to talk about their relationship more thoughtfully, an embarrassing situation that teaches humility and meekness. We reveal who our God is by our gratitude.
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