The Gravity of Gratitude
Choosing to be moved by grace
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What comes to mind when you hear the word gratitude? For some, thankfulness comes to mind. For others, maybe some event where they got a gift or were blessed with some kind of opportunity. And still, for others, perhaps a profound sense of indebtedness to someone for what they have done for you. Of the three, I fall into the last camp.
This sense of gratitude comes from having a specific knowledge. A gift becomes significant when we know it is a gift, even more so when we realize the lengths it is given. An opportunity is more remarkable when we recognize it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We value our lives all the more when someone sacrifices their life for ours.
Gratitude also centers around perspective. We can take events and gifts in our lives and choose not to value them as we ought. This perspective takes a constant proper view of life. Gratitude and contentment go hand in hand. Contentment is the art of being grateful in any situation. Paul the Apostle explained this in Philippians 4.11. He found the key to contentment. He looked ahead and set his mind on Christ, which gave him immense joy.
It is essential to combine these two concepts. Gratitude and contentment combine to form a perspective that creates a forward-thinking attitude in life. This attitude allows you to interact in the world as God desires and frees you to love the Lord and love your neighbor. This freedom is possible because of the miraculous and magnificent sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The gift of his life creates a profound sense of gratitude, which motivates loving, faithful obedience. The gift of grace that God gives us leads to a certain kind of behavior.
Those who have experienced God's grace experience profound change in their life. Paul, again, is the example. One who at first zealously persecuted the church is now turned into its most ardent defender. Jesus says that we will know them by their fruits. A good tree will bear good fruit. Those who live under the grace of God should exude gratitude for salvation that reaches into all facets of their life. This attitude is infectious. It's different, unusual. The gratitude that we should have often manifests itself as joy in the life of the believer.
Choose to be joyful this Sunday, not just this Sunday, but every day. Choose to remember all that Christ has done for us. Turn your eyes back to him, rejoice, be grateful, and count your blessings. We should feel the weight of our salvation. Christ's love compels us to love others. When our lives have been saved from destruction, we become thankful for life. The greens are greener, and the sky seems more blue. Embrace this life that God has blessed you with, and glorify Him who has granted us such miraculous grace. The gravity of gratitude is choosing to be compelled by the grace of Christ to glorify God and love others.