Raising the bar on gratitude

even after preaching through this passage, it still blows me away:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1Thessalonians 5:16-18

there is no question that these words from the apostle paul are some of the most radically life-altering words that anyone has ever heard!

we are so quick to be thankful for the good weather, our health, our family, our job, our stuff, our good fortune…but what happens to the “thanks” when the circumstances take a turn?  

• did we thank god for the weather the day hurricane ike hit? 
• what happens when our health fails?  do we thank him then?
• or what about the hidden disappointments in our marriages or family members that cause chaos?  does gratitude pour from our mouths then?
• is thankfulness the order of the day when co-workers gossip behind our backs or bosses become overbearing or work schedules turn out of control?
• how do you feel about your stuff when you begin to recognize that it is out of date, run down, broken, in need of repair or replacement?  are you a quick to extol the love and blessing of god…or do you reserve that only for times of economic good fortune?

i can’t help but think that the one thing our skeptical world needs to see from us christ followers is gratitude.  can you imagine how completely bizarre a lifestyle of uncompromising gratitude would look?  gratitude that sits totally outside circumstances…gratitude that is totally unrelated to how good or bad things are going, but simply flowing out of a trust relationship with god?

Gratitude is the barometer of faith.  If I trust God, I can be thankful.  If I simply trust myself…my talent, my ingenuity, my education, my hard work…there is no need, or room, for thankfulness.

Thankfulness pours out of humility.  Thankfulness understands dependence.  Thankfulness is the expression of a heart that comprehends grace…the grace of God.