Mindful Gratitude
Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 10:27-33
Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Gratitude requires mindfulness —living with eyes wide open. It calls for knowing that every good gift, everything beautiful and right and perfect and lovely, comes from God. And we must know where to direct our thanks. We know that at the center of the universe is the God who is strong and good. And we know what we’re most thankful for—that when we were helpless and hopeless and dead in our sins, Christ gave us a new life, a clean slate, a holy purpose. We understand that although we deserve nothing, we have been given everything through God’s grace. Going about our days with mindful gratitude makes a difference in us. And it makes a difference to those around us.
Paul wants us to be careful about the way we live out our faith. Our joy and thankfulness for God’s gifts should be something that others find contagious, not condemning.
It’s been said that our Christian witness in this world would be much stronger and more effective if we stopped shouting about the things we are against and started speaking more compellingly about the things we are for. That shouldn’t be hard for us, for we believe that God is overwhelmingly for us and for this world.
How might we demonstrate that beautiful truth to our neighbors today?
God, you love this world so much that you gave your Son to save it. From the depths of our hearts we thank you. Help us to live with gratitude that moves our neighbors toward Jesus. Amen.
About the author — Ruth Boven
Ruth Boven serves as minister of congregational life at LaGrave Ave. CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She and her husband, Greg, have two adult children. They find rich purpose in urban ministry and delight in enjoying the wonders of God's good creation.
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