A Full Life in Gratitude

A few days ago, I read an expression that truly moved me. It said, “The problem is not that we are sinners, but that we do not let ourselves be transformed by love.”

I found it edifying. Sin, that troublesome companion that will always persist in trying to draw us away from grace—though it will never ultimately succeed in a heart redeemed by Christ—is not itself the cause; we are. At times, we are reluctant, inexplicably unwilling to let Christ’s love transform our lives.

What is our greatest reason for gratitude? Salvation, without a doubt! A grateful heart beating to the rhythm set by the Lord’s grace allows Him to delve into the innermost depths of our being and carry out His work of love. Can you imagine if we had to make a sacrifice for every one of our sins? One sacrifice was enough—Christ’s on the cross—to put an end to the turmoil caused by ungodliness, unbelief, ignorance, and contempt for the divinity of the Son of God. “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours but also for those of the whole world” (1 Jn 2:2). Propitiation means sacrifice. What sacrifice should we offer the Lord? The singer Asaph leaves us the answer written in the Psalm: “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and fulfill your vows to the Most High” (Ps 50:14).

Living in gratitude should be a way of life for Christians. There can be no fullness of life in Christ if gratitude does not adorn our words and our actions. We drink from the riches of His grace to be transformed. Each day is an adventure and, at the same time, a new opportunity to enjoy His blessings and bless others. “… Freely you received; freely give” (Mt 10:8). Generally, there is an almost unanimous feeling among Christians that it is better to give than to receive—and they put it into practice. Few feelings compare with the feeling of giving out of gratitude to the Lord. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7) because something profoundly Christian within that person moves them to give out of gratitude to the One who has given them everything.

Some years ago, I went to a celebration marking the reopening of a beloved church in my country. Its nearly century-old roofs had collapsed for lack of funds to repair them, and its crumbling walls endangered the lives of the congregation’s many faithful members. In the middle of the celebration, its pastor called up a man seated in the front row who was trying to sing along with the church in a “Spanglish” no one could understand. His mother was with him. They came from another country. In recognition, and carried away by the emotion of the moment, the pastor let slip the astronomical amount that family had donated to rebuild the church. The church applauded, and the donor wept like a child and cried out in a voice choked with emotion: “It’s the joy of the Lord, it’s the joy of the Lord!” (“It’s the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord!”) And he repeated in Spanish, “Thank You, Lord, thank You, Lord!” All of us there saw the glory of the Lord descend for a moment.

Gratitude to God brings fullness of life in Christ and joy to the heart. May we show it with thanksgiving this week, as we commemorate His Passion.

God bless you!