Cultivating Gratitude
When Jesus surprised two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), they recognized him in the thanksgiving celebration of the Lord’s supper. He gave thanks. Instantly it clicked.
Thank you was etched on Jesus’ heart. Gratitude on his lips was an outflow of his heart. He was grateful for everything.
Even more, Jesus embodied thankfulness. Do you hear his urging, as I do? “Personify gratitude like me!” He promised we can be versions of him when we follow him!
Was Jesus thankful for the cross? The night before, celebrating Passover with his disciples, he gave thanks several times knowing what lays ahead for him. The cross didn’t surprise Jesus. He chose the cross. In the face of his looming suffering he was thankful to Abba.
If you believe as I, that Jesus prayed through Psalm 22 from the cross, (not just, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…”) he would have given praise to God in the midst of his suffering. Read for yourself and see.
“In all things” Paul said, “give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess 5:18) Paul taught “let the peace of Christ rule in your heart… and be thankful… whatever you do in word or deed… giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:15-17)
Paul trained Timothy to lead the church to give thanks for their country’s leaders… among other things (1 Tim 3:1-6).
Time for a gratitude check-up? I propose instead of an annual or occasional thanksgiving we intentionally practice daily gratitude. In our church, weekly! Occasional thanksgiving is good. An ongoing attitude of thanksgiving is better. But continuous thanksgiving, best of all. It doesn’t happen without cultivating.
How?
Helpful suggestion: Print or make a blank calendar for one month. Start in December, or even today. Now enter a “thank God for” each day. Try it for a week! For example:
Tuesday, Dec 1 Thank God for salvation through Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, Dec 2 Thank God for his constant presence
Thursday, Dec 3 Thank God for your friends
Friday, December 4 Thank God for power over the enemy
Saturday, December 5 Thank God for his perfect timing
Sunday, December 6 Thank God for my church
Monday, December 7, your job, or retirement
And so on and so forth. Here are additional ideas for the rest of December: Thank God for peace, joy, faith, hope, love, the Bible, the incarnation of Christ, your lost neighbors, government officials, daily bread, forgiveness… An unending cornucopia of thanksgiving.
Challenge: Do this every Monday in 2021. You’ll be well on your way of becoming gratitude personified, like Jesus.