PRACTISING GRATITUDE

The great apostle sets the pace for us in gratefulness and never forgetting to give the Almighty Redeemer and Head of the church praise and thanks for his brethren and fellow-laborers in the gospel. Repeatedly, after the beginning of his epistles and salutations, he would without fail make heartfelt statements like “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers” (Romans 1:9).

To the Philippians, a similar sentiment is expressed. He declares, “I thank God upon every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1: 3). To the saints of Colosse he writes, “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ and of the love which ye have to all the saints” (Colossians 1: 3,4). People mattered to the great apostle. The ministry mattered to him. All the saints mattered. On a continual basis, he gave thanks to God for all the saints.

Concerning the saints at Thessalonica, he also penned “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God” (1 Thessalonians 1: 2-4). As he writes to them again, he does not omit to state, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thessalonians 1: 3). In reference to his son in the faith, very similar thoughts of thanksgiving and thoughtfulness are expressed (1 Timothy 1: 3,4). Paul was never negligent in certifying and affirming how grateful he was to be serving alongside such a great company of believers. With him, you find the practice of gratitude, not just for things but for people, especially for people.

The day, I was wondering how this practice of expressing thankfulness for our fellow ministers and all the saints would help to revolutionize and ameliorate this last days movement called the Church of God again. I really think we take each other for granted too much. When was the last time you took time out to express to your pastor/minister/servant-leader/clergy person/fellow laborer how much you are grateful for them and all that they do? When was the last time we took time to express thankfulness to God for the amazing gift of the brethren and those sent to labor among us?  Maybe it’s about time we start doing that again, not just during clergy-appreciation month, but on a regular, on-going basis.

Sometimes, all it takes is just a few moments to let your minister know that you see them, and you truly appreciate every effort they expend in service to the household of faith.

Lady Chris and I want to go on record once again to let each one of you know how much we love and appreciate you. We thank God upon every remembrance of you. Your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope are not in vain in the Lord!  The Scriptures are loud and clear here: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Heb. 6:10). We simply say, one more time, thank you for who you are and all that you do. Always in the loving service to our Heavenly Father and loving Savior.