Gratitude

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Common English Bible Chapter 5

Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Judah’s Birthday Aftermath

The excitement leading up to a during Judah’s fourth was unlike any other that had preceded it. Judah knew exactly what he wanted and had been talking for months about it to anyone who would stick around to listen. “It gonna be my birthday right?” “I’m gonna get the indominous rex right?” That’s Judah’s most favorite dinosaur from the Jurassic World movie and cartoon. But his birthday finally came and he got what he wanted and more than he could really understand at the time, but then it was over. “Daddy it’s gonna be my birthday right?” “In a year buddy.” “A year? No that’s not right.” While we all had to come to grips with the 364 days between presents and fun, another issue came with 4 that in my ignorance I had not expected. Judah kept talking about what he wanted and began to neglect all the wonderful toys that were basically new and some had not even been removed from their packaging. I knew that Judah was not going to “get” this lesson on his own, but I was going to have to teach him how to enjoy what he had and to exit the swirl and whirl of I want, I want. So I set out to play with him and his new toys to show him all the fun he can have with them. We addressed the “I wants” as they came up but redirected him back to what he already had.

Teaching Gratitude

Just like I am teaching Judah what it means to adjust your emotions and decide upon contentedness. God has to teach us to be in the moment. Teach us to enjoy his gifts and his provision, in the face of a culture pushing us to want more, success, money, happiness, and renown. Most people that “make it” reminisce about the simplicity of the lean times. During those times too often we dwelt on the not enough, not enough security, not the right house, the right neighborhood, the right situation. God knows our natural inclination, just look at an interaction he had with His newly freed people in the desert.

Exodus Aftermath

Exodus 17: 1-7

Exodus 17:1–7 CEB

The whole Israelite community broke camp and set out from the Sin desert to continue their journey, as the Lord commanded. They set up their camp at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people argued with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why are you arguing with me? Why are you testing the Lord?” But the people were very thirsty for water there, and they complained to Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with this people? They are getting ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of Israel’s elders with you. Take in your hand the shepherd’s rod that you used to strike the Nile River, and go. I’ll be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Hit the rock. Water will come out of it, and the people will be able to drink.” Moses did so while Israel’s elders watched. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites argued with and tested the Lord, asking, “Is the Lord really with us or not?”

The Israelite people had freedom for the first time, and for the first had a God lead them and feed them. They walked through the red sea on dry land and plundered the Egyptians on their way out. While their God saved them from captivity of the body, they encountered new issues outside on their own with their God. They encountered ingratitude. After all the help and the hope they had been given a few miniutes with a dry mouth put them on the edge of their bounds. Suddenly the present need overshadowed reason, love, and memory.

Ingratitude cheapens the amazing.

Ingratitude demands.

Ingratitude questions in the midst of provision.

Ingratitude causes us to be unsure of God’s faithfullness.

Ingratitude looks to the next only at the expense of the present grace.

Gratitude as a Learned Practice

Acts 2: 42-43

Acts 2:42–43 CEB

The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.

Believers devoted themselves to scriptural teaching, to the church, to eating together, and corporate prayer. Through all of these practices the fruit that came about was a sense of awe. How many of you came to church today with a sense of awe? How long has it been?

Honestly and regretfully, I do not always stand in awe in our church. Sometimes it starts to feel like a job. But there have been many times in my short time here when I have been overwhelmed with gratitude in the midst of our praying eating and learning together. I have seen a few lives changed, houses repaired, people held up in the face of their circumstances, a community reached by multiple means, and such incredible generosity . I am extremely grateful for y’all and to be able to work with y’all in the bringing of God’s kingdom to Karnes City. I’m still learning to take stock, like when Stephanie texted the volunteers a thank you and praise for the Halloween event on last Sunday. I was already onto the next thing and I forgot to praise God for this thing. God brought together several different churches that have not always historically worked together and we reached out to our community and gave them a safe way to spend their Halloween Holiday. What a turn out we had and all those children and parents got to spend time together and we got to facilitate the for them.

Gospel

Have you heard the saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” While not all of us have grown up in the church, all of us live where there is a plethora of churches, gospel tracts, connections for salvation. Sometimes it is easy to forget to be grateful for all that we have, our family, our jobs, our homes, its what is missing in our broken nature. But the good news is that God gave us a new Exodus. One of the soul. Jesus was sent to earth to lead us out of sin’s captivity. We can turn our eyes from ourselves, our wants, or the “next thing” back onto the Lord of our Salvation. He is waiting for you there.

The Challenge

Neurologists have done studies on our brains and their propensity toward negative self talk. They have found that one of the repairs for this issue is to cultivate gratitude. That is to spend more than 21 days ending the day listing 3 -5 things we are grateful for. This literal rewires our brain to have a more positive outlook. I would challenge you this month to try it. If you can’t think of three things and go with one, start somewhere.

Prayer

Lord God teach us how to be gracious for all that you give us. Grateful for each other. Grateful for our families. Grateful for our relationship with you and that you reached down to us. We love you and praise your wonderful name.