While visiting our granddaughter and her family this past weekend for our great grandson’s dedication at their church, I noticed this painting on their living room wall. While being a wonderful nurse with newborns, she also has a gift of calligraphy. A few months ago they decided to create this. She drew the tree and the wording. Then she and Wyatt placed their thoughts of gratitude at the end of the limbs. What a beautiful display of their heart gratitude for what the Lord has done and is doing in their lives.
Among others, she also created and gave Joanne and me a painting of this verse. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5.17 This and many other verses in the scripture relate to thanksgiving, thankfulness, praise and gratitude. These are thoughts, actions, and spoken words for who God is and what he has done and is doing in the world, and in our lives specifically.
I have to admit that so many things taking place across our country and in the world today give cause for consternation, anger and bitterness. I am convicted when I look at this verse where it says to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. This is his will in Christ Jesus for me, and for you. O, I wish I could do this more often and more reverently. The truth of the matter is that I tend to drop my eyes off Christ and the many blessings in him, onto the circumstance that stirs up all of these negative, non-grateful responses and thoughts on my part. Am I alone in this?
It shows too many times that I/we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Jesus, while on this earth fulfilling his Father’s will, demonstrated total control and obedience to the authority of the Spirit that was leading him while being persecuted. These next verses are so powerful. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2.21-23
I would suggest that it is not wrong to hate the evil that we see being perpetrated throughout our society, and across the world. We must remember, and I most of all, that none of this surprises the Lord and that he has said “vengeance is mine says the lord, I will repay”. He will bring his righteous judgment on the evil in due time. Meantime, I/we need to trust God in all of these circumstances. “For with God, all things are possible.” I know this, and I’m sure you do also. Let us agree, together, to “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”. And “consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Heb. 12.2, 3
Annie and Wyatt, thank you for this reminder of having an “attitude of gratitude”.