CCBC

Global gratitude – 24 November 2019

Gill and I have recently read the excellent book “The Life You Never Expected” by Andrew and Rachel Wilson.  The sub-title is “Thriving while parenting special needs children” and with great honesty and Biblical insight the Wilsons describe life with both of their children (at the time of writing) having severe autism.

Rachel begins one chapter with these simple, yet profound words: “If what you think you have is greater than what you think you deserve, then that’s where thankfulness comes from.  If what you think you deserve is greater than what you think you have, then that’s where bitterness comes from.”

We live in an age of entitlement, of the individual’s rights and such thinking can so easily and so often enter our own hearts and minds.  Very quickly bitterness, irritation and frustration may fill our souls.

In 1 Thessalonians 5v18 Paul commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  I may be seeking God’s guidance in all sorts of situations, but a constant element of His will for my life is being thankful in (not necessarily for) all circumstances.

As always our great example and inspiration is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Read again Philippians 2v5-11 and meditate on how He “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing” and how “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death”.  He laid aside all that he was entitled to in order to give us what we don’t deserve.  How can we not be thankful?

Peace and Grace

Paul