We are fast approaching the celebration of our Lord's birth. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Crowded stores, crowded parking lots, distraught consumers, dismayed retail associates, all prettied up with twinkling lights and Christmas trees. We are told to remember the "Reason for the Season" and search for ways to keep that real. Some find help in advent calendars that now have every flavor of our desires behind little doors we can open each day. Doors that reveal cute cats, Sesame Street characters, Disney favorites and chocolate desserts. All these are to remind us of the first arrival of God's Son. If it somehow helps I suppose there is no harm. No matter how you consider the holiday celebration it is always good to reflect on Messiah Jesus. It is always good to be drawn into worship and the presence of our Heavenly Father. It has been well said that Jesus is the greatest gift of all. For those who believe, reflecting upon this Gift of God should be a daily occurrence not an annual remembrance. But what of the many, the very many, who do not know or understand this Gift offered by the grace of God?
We, as the children of God, are to be a thankful, grateful, people. The lack of gratitude is an affront to God and an indication of the downward spiral toward destruction. Paul warns the Romans of the dangers of lacking a thankful spirit. "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21, emphasis mine). In contrast we are to follow the instructions given to the Thessalonians in 5:18, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I have heard many messages on how we are to give thanks even in the most dire of circumstances in reference to this verse. It is indeed a challenge to be thankful in times of difficulty, however, the verse suggests more than that. It says, "in everything", give thanks. Gratitude is to radiate from our lives all the time. We have the greatest reasons for a thankful spirit that can possibly be imagined. Rescued from sin and death, given hope and purpose, knowing that the God of the universe loves us beyond measure, how much more do we need to produce a consistent attitude of gratitude?
Living a thankful life is more challenging than it might seem. We may not be constantly grumbling but are we constantly grateful? The mundane and routine stuff of life lulls us into a living coma that puts our attitudes into neutral. This is not God's intention for our lives. Gratefulness in everything should be the mark of our existence. It is a mark that can quite literally change the lives of people around you. It can be lived out in very practical ways and can be even more powerful at this time of year. As you go about life, dozens of people serve you every day. They prepare your coffee at Starbucks, stock your grocery stores, pick up after careless shoppers; does anyone really think a head of lettuce belongs with the pasta? Someone has to cart it back to produce. Every sales associate, gas station attendant, police officer at the mall or directing holiday traffic is there serving you. Add restaurant servers, bank employees, people who pick up the trash around the parking lots all add to the quality and convenience of our lives. Just how grateful are we for their service? I know they get paid but that doesn't change the fact that they choose to be there to help you. Are you an inspiration or an irritant to that person who stands for hours to help people with their purchases at the register. Are you a complainer or encourager as you rub against the lives of all those who serve you. Being neutral is not being thankful.
As followers of Messiah we have an amazing opportunity numerous times a day to show some gratitude to some worn and likely badgered individual who is there to serve an ungrateful public. Put it to the test. Take a moment with the next person who serves you and be grateful. Stop a super market employee and say, "I know you have a difficult job. I just wanted you to know I really appreciate what you do. Your being here makes my life a little easier and I am grateful for what you do. Have a blessed day and a merry Christmas." It only takes a moment to pass on thanksgiving. It may seem like a small thing, however, it may well be a powerful message to a tired retail worker. I told an older employee at Walmart that I honestly appreciated her being there at the checkout and that I was thankful for her working on this cold night instead of being home with her family. I was grateful that she made my life a little easier. and wished her a blessed Christmas. She actually got misty eyed and said, "God bless you." I have little doubt that she shared my encouragement when she got home that night. There is a reason God tells us to be grateful. Showing appreciation to all those folks who serve and provide in countless way shows the love and power of God.
The world is a pretty cold and dark place filled with self centered weary people. We are not to be like the world. "But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good" ( 2 Thessalonians 3:13). Words of appreciation, verbal thankfulness, and kind encouragement are good things. Do not be so distracted and weary that you miss the opportunity to express your gratitude to someone who is serving you. You might just be their best Christmas gift ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment