Start The Year With Gratitude
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
There is a subtle distinction in this text when it comes to giving thanks that I believe is very significant. The command is not to simply “be” thankful—that’s an attitude. It is to “give” thanks—that’s an action. Professor Johannes A. Gaertner said: “to speak thankfulness is courteous and pleasant, to enact thankfulness is generous and noble, but to live a life of thankfulness is to touch heaven.”
In other words, being grateful is not simply a cognitive activity confined to the circumference of one’s mind. Paul is not saying think about what you are thankful for. He does not tell them to meditate on God’s goodness at all times. Instead, he suggests that their thankfulness should inspire them to act in a manner that results in them “giving” thanks.
Giving thanks is God’s will for our lives. Listen to what Paul says once again, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Someone might be saying, “Why do I need to show my thanks to God? He knows how I feel.” Well, it’s because we were created to give thanks to God.
So many people are trying to discover God’s will for their lives. Is it to be in a certain profession? Is it to live in a certain state? Is it to have a certain quality of life? It’s actually none of those things. Paul makes it very clear that God’s will is for us to give thanks to God. In whatever we do, our assignment in life is to point people to the reality of God, to our reliance on God, and to our reverence of God. Whatever we do, whether it’s as a doctor, teacher, or janitor, we should do it in such a way that gives glory to God. Otherwise, we are taking credit for ourselves that only belongs to God.
Giving thanks to the Lord is ultimately about making sure we don’t take our blessings for granted. In fact, the Christian life is one big expression of thanks to God for His goodness, for His mercy, for His healing, for His protection, and for His provision. It’s our lifestyle, and we never want to take God for granted. So as we head into a new year in just a few hours, may we not miss out on the opportunity to start the new year with a grateful heart, giving thanks to God for all that He is, all that He’s done, and all that He will do.
There is a subtle distinction in this text when it comes to giving thanks that I believe is very significant. The command is not to simply “be” thankful—that’s an attitude. It is to “give” thanks—that’s an action. Professor Johannes A. Gaertner said: “to speak thankfulness is courteous and pleasant, to enact thankfulness is generous and noble, but to live a life of thankfulness is to touch heaven.”
In other words, being grateful is not simply a cognitive activity confined to the circumference of one’s mind. Paul is not saying think about what you are thankful for. He does not tell them to meditate on God’s goodness at all times. Instead, he suggests that their thankfulness should inspire them to act in a manner that results in them “giving” thanks.
Giving thanks is God’s will for our lives. Listen to what Paul says once again, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Someone might be saying, “Why do I need to show my thanks to God? He knows how I feel.” Well, it’s because we were created to give thanks to God.
So many people are trying to discover God’s will for their lives. Is it to be in a certain profession? Is it to live in a certain state? Is it to have a certain quality of life? It’s actually none of those things. Paul makes it very clear that God’s will is for us to give thanks to God. In whatever we do, our assignment in life is to point people to the reality of God, to our reliance on God, and to our reverence of God. Whatever we do, whether it’s as a doctor, teacher, or janitor, we should do it in such a way that gives glory to God. Otherwise, we are taking credit for ourselves that only belongs to God.
Giving thanks to the Lord is ultimately about making sure we don’t take our blessings for granted. In fact, the Christian life is one big expression of thanks to God for His goodness, for His mercy, for His healing, for His protection, and for His provision. It’s our lifestyle, and we never want to take God for granted. So as we head into a new year in just a few hours, may we not miss out on the opportunity to start the new year with a grateful heart, giving thanks to God for all that He is, all that He’s done, and all that He will do.
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