Hello,
As we are in the week of Thanksgiving here in the US, most
of us will be asked multiple times to share what we are thankful for. While I
am not against that question and conversation, I do wonder if it is the real right
question. Is it challenging enough? Should instead we ask a different question?
Perhaps we should be asking one another this: “What actions are being driven by
your thankfulness for _____ (fill in the blank)?” or “What you are doing differently
that shows your thankfulness for ______ (fill in the blank)?”
It is easy to say we are thankful – but if we are truly
thankful, it likely should drive something different from us. It may or may not
be our actions and could also be a change in our effort level, involvement of
others, approach etc.
This brings to mind the 10 lepers that Jesus healed.
The account in Luke 17:11-19 “While He was on the way
to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He
entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and
they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When
He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And
as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that
he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and
he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then
Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where
are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except
this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your
faith has made you well.”” (NASB)
The one who returned didn’t just quietly say thanks – he publicly
glorified God and went out of his way to return to give his thanks. He also did
this as a Samaritan, knowing Jesus was a Jew.
I challenge all of us this week as we contemplate what we
are thankful for, ask ourselves how we will show that thankfulness in our
actions/choices.
Have a blessed day,
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