A Gratitude Challenge.
Ingratitude.
What a word.
What an easy spirit in which we can walk and get trapped.
This is something that each of us struggle with, whether we want to admit it or not.
I recently read a book called "A Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It is a book that challenges your view of life and this root sin of ingratitude, although I wouldn’t recommend it for your major theology points and such; however, it is the main point of our tendency to walk in ingratitude that I found helpful and appreciated.
God's Word says that we are loved and that He cares for us. It says that we are to give Him thanks in all circumstances and pray without ceasing. Oftentimes, I find myself trying to keep myself AND the Lord in a box. I like structure. I like doing things the right way. I like understanding and figuring things out. However, one thing we can all agree on is the fact life is not predictable. Life is not as simple as fitting it all into a box. And life is not always structured and easy to figure out.
We are called to live a life of worship. We are called to give our Lord the praise and thanksgiving of which He is worthy. We are called to pray without ceasing. We are called to sing new songs and declare His truth. We are called to trust Him - that He is completely sovereign, good, and faithful.
One thing Ann discusses is that we fall into this trap of ingratitude when we do not believe God's character - whatever characteristic that may be. When life feels uncertain and scary, we can easily doubt the fact He is in control. When we receive bad news about an illness, a death of a loved one, or the loss of a job, we can easily doubt that He is good. When we feel alone or without, we can easily doubt that He loves us. When we don't believe God's promises and trustworthy character, we fall into the trap of ingratitude... which ultimately tells God "No, this isn't what I signed up for or what I want. You don't know what You are doing. I know best, and I know what I need and deserve." We basically have a spirit of entitlement and pride.
It's hard for us to grasp the fact that every single day, in and of itself, is a gift and a blessing from God. We deserve death, but He gives us life because He chose to send His Son, Jesus, into a broken world to die for each and every one of us. He bridged the separation between Him and us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. By His grace, we have gained access to life if we only choose to truly believe and follow Him, giving Him control of our lives.
In Scripture, Jesus tells us that to follow Him, we must deny ourself. We must die to ourselves - die to our wants, desires, sense of entitlement, and being in control of our lives. He has given us ALL that we need in Him. He simply asks us to love Him, believe Him, and actively TRUST Him.
Each day God shows us His love for us through the little things... through the mundane, simple, and ordinary things. The problem we have, though, is we are not looking for them and we rarely acknowledge them. When is the last time you just sat outside watching the squirrels run up and down the trees and nibbling on acorns? When is the last time you took a nice, relaxing hot shower that helped you calm down from the day? When is the last time you stopped to look at the colorful and blooming flowers on the trees and just enjoyed the sight? When is the last time you appreciated washing the dishes because it means you have food to eat and even a family of loved ones to feed? When is the last time you just wrote down a few of those funny moments with your family or friends?
Those are only a few of the gifts of God's love and care for us that He gives us in one day, in one simple moment. He loves us more than we will ever be able to understand. And that is a beautiful gift in and of itself.
Life is simply an adventure with the God of the universe. He has shown us His love through His Son; and if He was willing to give us His one and only Son, why would He withhold a single good thing from us (Romans 8:32)? He is a good Father who went through incredible measures to show us just how much we mean to Him and to give us access to a relationship with Him.
Worship is a way of life. It's a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude. It's a life that recognizes the fact that we have breath in our lungs is a mystery and a gift. It's a life that chooses to walk in humility, recognizing one's limitations and imperfections because that is what makes God's power so visible and glorious. It's a life of pure joy, peace, rest, and hope because it's one that knows the Creator and trusts in all His promises and His character.Ingratitude robs us of seeing and knowing God for who He is and who we are.
The challenge Ann gave herself in order to teach and discipline herself in slowing down and seeing God's love and trustworthiness was to simply keep a notebook by her side and right them down as she noticed them... counting all the way to 1,000 and even beyond. As I have been doing this myself, I simply call it a treasure hunt adventure with my Father. It has been shifting my focus and my perspective. It has helped me see life in a new and incredible way. It's been life giving as I have been able to marvel in God's presence and enjoy each moment with Him.
My prayer is that He would open all of our hearts, ears, and eyes to Him in order to receive ALL that He has for us. And as I've said before, Christ died for our freedom and to give us life abundantly, so why do we live as if we our bound to death and destruction?
Take the risk. Accept the challenge. Practice gratitude. Encounter the Lord our Father.
Eucharisteo.
It will change your life.