Weekly Devotion: Giving Thanks

Among many places in the Bible where we read about thanksgiving (the act, not just the holiday) stands Psalm 100:

 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Giving thanks is an integral part of our faith walk.  We give thanks in worship and prayer, two of the most intimate moments of our journey with God.  Our thanks is not hidden but spoken, shouted, or sometimes even sung, so that God and those around us can hear the truth of these words:  God is good, we are his, our purpose is love and joy.

Giving thanks brings several unique qualities to our world, without which our lives are impoverished.  It acknowledges goodness...that there's something worth living for and reaching for today.  It takes us out of ourselves, reminding us that we walk with, and are in need of, other people.  It sets the tone for our relationships:  giving, serving, helping, acceptance, gratitude, affirmation.  The world needs more of all of those things.  They're all wrapped up in those simple words, "Thank You".  Giving thanks fills that all-important space in between us with love.  That's a power far beyond the rote politeness we were taught as kids.

Take time to speak your thanks this week...first to God but also to all the people in your life.  Remember what we've said about finding Christ in others?  Enter their gates with thanksgiving too so that they may know goodness and love that endures.  Send a note to someone who doesn't expect it.  Stop someone by putting a hand on their shoulder and saying, "I've not told you this enough, but thank you for what you do."  Remember someone who helped you in the past that you've lost contact with and send them a card.  You'll be amazed how much life and energy spring up before you.

--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)