Thankful

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I’m thankful for Thanksgiving. It’s a fantastic holiday - a chance to refocus my current perspective and reflect on my current attitude. Taking an honest look at my heart has been convicting this year. By the grace of God, I’ve been His child for a long time, and yet I am not seeing the fruit of joy in my life. I have open communication with the Savior that I take for granted. I have been blessed in every aspect of life, but instead of being grateful, I long for more. The three things from the verses above do not make a consistent appearance in my life. As a result, my days tend to end with a sense of dissatisfaction and disillusionment.

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:5

Christ came to this earth to serve; He came to give His life. He was grounded in His relationship with the Father, unwavering in His mission to fulfill God’s plan. He lived with conviction, with love, with hope, and with justice. He looked at this world with compassion, seeking to save the lost. My problem is that my attitude is not the same as Christ’s. I’ve let me eyes, and therefore my heart, focus on the things I think I need: a thinner self, better things, a relationship, more money, interesting adventures. All this in an effort to feel connected to a world that is not compatible with my ransomed soul.  My skewed perspective and flawed attitude breed cynicism in my heart, which leaves me empty and lonely. No wonder I must have the same attitude as Christ – the other way is dark and dreary.

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

So, this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that He is still working on me. I’m thankful that my happiness, my purpose, my satisfaction is not based on what I do, but on what He has done. I’m thankful that God loves me and sticks with me, even when I’m unlovable and pull away. I’m thankful for forgiveness, redemption, and mercy. And in response to the passage in Thessalonians, I’m thankful for the joy that only comes from constantly standing amazed at His amazing grace. I’m thankful that He hears me, knows me, and listens to me, even when I’m too preoccupied with myself to speak to Him. I’m thankful for the circumstances of my life – the joy and challenges of teaching, the freedom and loneliness of being single, the victories and defeats of navigating relationships with family and friends.

I’m also thankful for a week long vacation. J Happy Thanksgiving!!


Location: Austin, TX, USA

Comments

  1. The Reeds11/25/13, 2:01 AM

    Les, I always love hearing your heart. WE recently worked through the tim Keller study "Gospel in Life" and I felt like this post is exactly about the same thing.

    I think of you often and miss you. Our time together was special to me!:)

    ReplyDelete

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