Every day I wake up and I am thankful for another day. In fact…..truth be told…..I am thankful for sooooooo much. I have recognized that our life is lived in seasons. I don’t know how many times that I have thanked God for EXACTLY WHERE I AM right now! Then a year later that season has passed and another season envelops my life….and I am thankful for EXACTLY WHERE I AM in that season! Of course there are seasons that I thank God that I know that this season will pass and I look forward to a new season to come.
I think that the key is, I am not thankful to ME……..I am thankful to God, indeed, I am thankful to Jesus for each and every season in my life. The other key is, as we look at Jesus…..He was always thankful for God’s provision. Who are you thankful to? Do you let God know each day that you are thankful and what you are thankful for?
Mark 8:6-10 (TNIV)
6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. And having sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
In the greatest seasons of our life it is easy to be thankful because we don’t want them to end. I have learned that so very often….when I trust God……those seasons often lead to seasons of even greater joy and significance. So much depends on my daily attitude and daily trust in Jesus. Even in the seasons that are not so good, the seasons that I need God’s provision (whether it be food, material things or just spiritual significance)….I have learned to be thankful because I know that these seasons, if I cling closely to Jesus, are seasons that will help me grow deeper in humility, love and relationship with God as well as with those around me.
Jesus gave thanks for the food before it was even multiplied. He thanked God for those seven meager loaves and fishes and what a blessing: they fed 4000 men and their wives and children!
What should we be thankful for each and every day, despite our circumstances? That our daily needs are indeed met, for the beauty that surrounds us if we look beyond our 12 foot bubble, for human company as well as divine companionship. Giving thanks keeps us from taking life and it’s blessings for granted. Thank God each and every day and many times in between, be genuine in your thanks and be the blessing for others.
If we cling close to Jesus, he will ultimately provide much more that we need. We WILL be filled up; it won’t be just a taste of life but will be a glorious feast. It doesn’t come from just plopping ourselves down at the table and saying, “feed me”…..it comes for being thankful, preparing the meal, sharing the meal and recognizing that we are as much a part of the meal experience as the food we eat.
So……because Jesus has invited us to the table and because He has provide so much in abundance for us, we should give heartfelt thanks, not only in words and prayer, but also (and maybe even more importantly) in our compassion towards others. This truly reflects the beauty of God’s gracious provision. If we have the means, we should always err on the side of generosity.
Let’s Jesus’ generosity encourage your generosity…live life in big portions and give life in big portions! Jesus did!