In the first two parts of this series we talked about God’s calling and our stewardship and how a Christian perspective on these can infuse our lives with spiritual meaning. This month I want to add the practice of gratitude.

Gratitude, like love, is both an emotion and an attitude. On the emotional level, gratitude comes and goes. It happens to us. We feel it when someone gives us something. At this emotional and transitory level, gratitude isn’t transformative or spiritual.

But on the level of attitude, gratefulness is both transformative and spiritual. An “attitude of gratitude” responds with thanksgiving to all of life, not just the events that evoke the emotion. Welcoming life as a gift from God enriches our lives and makes them sacred.

When we cultivate gratitude, our lives are filled with wonder. We anticipate what good thing God has in store for us next. As we constantly look for the coming gift, our lives take on a sense of purpose. Gratitude fosters proactive social behaviors as we seek to pass on the gift. And since we no longer take people for granted, gratitude contributes to healthy relationships.

Spiritually, when we approach life with a thankful disposition, we recognize God’s presence in places we didn’t see before. We begin to see how God has been moving in our lives, and we anticipate God’s continued work. This gives every aspect of our lives—from the material to the active to the confusing—a sacramental quality. I’ll be writing more about this next month.

On November 23rd I’ll be preaching out of Luke 17:11-19 on the topic of gratitude and sharing some concrete ways we can experience and practice gratitude as we celebrate Thanksgiving. That afternoon we’ll share a meal together.

I like that Thanksgiving precedes Christmas. It tunes me to be grateful for all things. In place of anxiety around giving and receiving gifts, Christmas becomes a peaceful time of appreciation. I hope you’ll take November 23rd as an opportunity to invite a friend to join you here at Faith as you grow spiritually through gratitude.

Links to previous Pastor messages:

October 2008