Don't Just Give Thanks, Live Thanks
Legendary Christian artist André Crouch immortalized a song about giving thanks. The song opens with the question “how can I give thanks for the things you have done for me?” The next phrases explore the unworthiness of the recipient when compared to the completeness of the salvation and restoration received. The words of the refrain are what struck me quite vividly today. “Just let me live my life, let it be pleasing Lord to Thee.” As if to answer his earlier question, the songwriter declares simply, if you want to give thanks then live thanks. And in living thanks you will bring glory to God.
How can you live thanks this year? The possibilities are endless. Random acts of kindness. Forgiving someone. Helping a neighbor. Share a meal with a lonely senior. Serve a meal to a neighbor in need. Be nice. Sit with an ill friend. Shovel your neighbor’s snow. Point someone to Jesus. I believe these only scratch the surface of what is possible to do. The key is to act out your thankfulness through living and let the glory go to God.
The Apostle Paul share this encouragement in his letter to the Christians in Colossae:
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:14-17 (New Living Translation)