“I think that Christians generally are poor at expressing gratitude or celebrating.”
So wrote a reader in response to a recent Generous Matters post about the healthful benefits (among many) of an attitude of gratitude. I wish I could argue with her sorry claim, but sadly, I have met my share of ingrates among the faithful. In my experience (and apparently that of the commenter as well) Christ-followers tend in the direction of the nine ungrateful lepers of Luke 17 rather than that of the one in ten who came back to say thank you.
Despite having received the keys to the Kingdom, Christ-followers trudge along, sorry faced, a dour band of pious party-poopers. We take for granted the good things that fill our lives. We shrug at God’s abundance.
Why say thank you, our actions scream, when God is simply doing what God does? What’s to celebrate in that?
Everything, if scripture is to be believed and followed.
As the Psalmist reminds us, God commanded and we were created. God has established us forever and ever. The bounds of God’s love cannot be passed (Psalm 148). Or as the Apostle Paul wrote to the church folks in Ephesus, it’s time for “the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (3:18-19).
So stand up, sisters and brothers in Christ. Tap you toes. Wave your hands. Shout a thank you or two. Let your gratitude out.
It’s party time for God’s people.