Practicing Thankfulness

Practicing Thankfulness

In the book of Luke, Chapter17 verses 11-19 we read of Jesus healing the ten lepers.  

^“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where is the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”  Here we see that it was a Samaritan that made the choice in returning to give thanks to Jesus for his healing.  The other nine quickly forgot about their recent plight and went back to their old lives again.  This seems very counter intuitive for us in understanding thankfulness.  

In this passage we see that the lepers stood at a distance when first addressing Jesus.  We have to ask why?  The reason is that whether a person was a Jew or Samaritan, they would have been quickly stoned by getting too close to those who were well. They were supposed to stay in the Leper Colony and there they would live and die isolated from the rest of humanity.  By leaving the camp they knew that if seen by anyone, they took the chance of being killed and as you can see, it was a very big chance.  

When leaving the camp they as a group knew that Jesus was their only hope of getting well and so the risk outweighed their security of staying in the Leper Camp.  One can only imagine their fear, anxiety, and trepidation when starting out on this dangerous journey.  So, if the risks were so high, then one has to ask, “Why didn’t they come back and thank Jesus for such a wonderful miracle as their healing?”  Was it short-term memory loss, or that of being so overjoyed that they forgot how and who it was that healed them? I know that it seems utterly amazing that this would even happen, or at least until I have examined my own life as well.  

In recalling the many answered prayers that I have been given and the times that I failed to thank the Lord for them, then I realize that I too fall into the 9 who didn’t return.  What of the time I hesitated at the stoplight and then saw a speeding car run the red light or the time that I felt strongly not to go out into the night and realized later that the road was not safe for driving on? “Was it God who was prompting me not to do what I was about to do?”  I believe yes it was and the Bible is full of occasions where God sent his guardian angels to protect, guide, minister to and keep safe his children. When I failed to say thank you for these things, it was I who focused too much on myself, and the situation rather than on thanking God for his kindness, protection, and generosity. “Please Father, give me a heart of thankfulness today by opening my eyes, ears and heart to your guiding presence.”

Practicing Thankfulness

Practicing Thankfulness

In the book of Luke, Chapter17 verses 11-19 we read of Jesus healing the ten lepers.  

^“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where is the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”  Here we see that it was a Samaritan that made the choice in returning to give thanks to Jesus for his healing.  The other nine quickly forgot about their recent plight and went back to their old lives again.  This seems very counter intuitive for us in understanding thankfulness. 

 

In this passage we see that the lepers stood at a distance when first addressing Jesus.  We have to ask why?  The reason is that whether a person was a Jew or Samaritan, they would have been quickly stoned by getting too close to those who were well. They were supposed to stay in the Leper Colony and there they would live and die isolated from the rest of humanity.  By leaving the camp they knew that if seen by anyone, they took the chance of being killed and as you can see, it was a very big chance.  

When leaving the camp they as a group knew that Jesus was their only hope of getting well and so the risk outweighed their security of staying in the Leper Camp.  One can only imagine their fear, anxiety, and trepidation when starting out on this dangerous journey.  So, if the risks were so high, then one has to ask, “Why didn’t they come back and thank Jesus for such a wonderful miracle as their healing?”  Was it short-term memory loss, or that of being so overjoyed that they forgot how and who it was that healed them? I know that it seems utterly amazing that this would even happen, or at least until I have examined my own life as well.  

In recalling the many answered prayers that I have been given and the times that I failed to thank the Lord for them, then I realize that I too fall into the 9 who didn’t return.  What of the time I hesitated at the stoplight and then saw a speeding car run the red light or the time that I felt strongly not to go out into the night and realized later that the road was not safe for driving on? “Was it God who was prompting me not to do what I was about to do?”  I believe yes it was and the Bible is full of occasions where God sent his guardian angels to protect, guide, minister to and keep safe his children. When I failed to say thank you for these things, it was I who focused too much on myself, and the situation rather than on thanking God for his kindness, protection, and generosity. “Please Father, give me a heart of thankfulness today by opening my eyes, ears and heart to your guiding presence.”

Through a Child's Eyes

Many times God uses our children to show us the way to our hearts.  One day last summer, when returning home from Target we noticed a woman standing alongside the road.  She was dressed in a very colorful skirt that was blowing in the gentle warm breeze.  I noticed that her hair was shrouded by an enormous hat that covered her head, as well as her shoulders.  The hat made it difficult to see her face as she looked down towards the road.  I then noticed all her bags beside her and I knew that she was on a long journey. I looked over at Abby and she at the same time looked at me.  “Dad, I don’t think she has a place to live!”  I agreed with her and so with my daughter’s leading, we drove over next to her.  She was somewhere in her late 50’s and was wearing a larger than life smile.  As we got near to her , Abby asked me if we could give her something to help her out.  Seeing that she had many needs, I searched my wallet for something to give to her.  All I had was a ten dollar bill.  Abby smiled at me and reached out of the car to give it to her, and this woman accepted it with a kind smile and said, “Thank you!”

We talked with her for a long while and she told us that she had lived in the area many years ago. Her family had fallen on hard times and she now was heading west in an attempt to meet up with a friend.  I glanced over at Abby and I could see the compassion that Abby held in her heart for this kind woman. 

Looking over at our new friend, we asked if there was anything more that would do for her. She then told us that she was heading to the interstate and could use a ride if that wasn’t too much to ask. The interstate was 7 miles away and it was all-uphill. Abby then told her that we could give her a ride and she readily accepted.  As we drove she told us about her life and the ups and downs that she had gone through, some being bad as well as some that brought her happiness.  She in turn asked us about our lives and Abby innocently related about herself and her time with friends in the church. She then asked if we were Christians and Abby said that we were.  Abby then volunteered by asking if we could pray for her.  Our friend accepted and said with a warm expression, “Thank you!”  

As we were driving along towards the interstate she had asked how far the St. Charles exit was. I responded by saying that it was about another 20 miles.  She said that it was a place that would be a wonderful launching point for traffic heading west.  I looked over at Abby and I could see in her eyes that she wanted to do this for our friend.  Looking away from Abby to this woman who was holding a larger than life smile, I offered to take her there.  She readily accepted and it was the beginning point for her many questions about our faith.  Abby did most of the talking and I did the driving.  

As we past the mile markers heading west, I came to realize that there was something about a child’s faith that made the conversation so innocent and wonderful.  I prayed by myself as we traveled along while Abby exchanged things about her life, as well as listening to this complex lady share about her walk through life.  When the time came to say goodbye, we knew that we would never meet again, at least in this lifetime.  I though was strengthened by Abby’s innocent faith, and through her, God was teaching me about his ways through Abby’s actions.  I also learned that day more of what our Savior meant when he said to his disciples in Matt. 18:3 “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” It was a day that I was privileged to be a part of a child’s faith in action.  Jesus was teaching me about giving, unconditional acceptance, and about loving a person that wasn't dependent on appearance, but more by what was inside the heart.  Jesus was teaching me about himself through my child. “If you have done this to the least of them you have done it to me.”Matt: 25:40  

The Great Egg Bake of 1967

My thoughts this evening are wandering back to the time of being a teenager, which come to think of it, took place many years ago.  It was a very hot summer and I was struggling to find relief in the cool shade of a big elm tree in my home town of Jackson, Minnesota, but that dream of sitting the day out at Ashley Park was not to be.  A friend called and asked for my help in bailing hay at his father’s farm. They were short handed and two hours later I found myself stacking hay in the direct heat of the day.  My friend was driving the tractor while I was stacking the hay bales on the flatbed.  I quickly found that wearing a short sleeved was a big mistake.  I looked down beyond my short sleeves and I could see deep scratches forming on my arms.  They not only hurt, but they itched as well.  The hot sun was directly above us and I had to glare into it every time I tried to stack each new layer above my head.  By the time I had reached seven rows high on the rack, I was totally exhausted and unbelievably hot.  I was so looking forward to the cool ride back to the barn, and that of getting a cold drink of water from their well.  Since we had a full rack of hay, I found that the only place for me to sit was at the top of the hay bales.  I must say though, I was looking forward to feeling the breeze on my face as we slowly sauntered back to the barn.  While enjoying the slow ride and the soft bales of hay beneath me, I glanced over my shoulder, to my left and I could see a lake nearby and my thoughts went to the pristine blue water and thought how cool it would feel on my bloodied arms.  

I imagined myself running into that pristine lake all the while its water was rushing over my body. This dream was soon shattered by my friend, he must have noticed that I was eyeing the lake as he saw me drenched in sweat looking out over the horizon of the body of water before us.  His voice then obliterated the calm that surrounded me as he hollered from the tractor, “I know how to cool you off!”  He then put the tractor into road gear and I found myself bouncing through the pasture atop 7 layers of hay, all barely staying on the flatbed trailer.  At that moment, I tried to yell with all my might for him to stop, but he would have none of it.  To my horror, up ahead I could see a dried out creek bed with its depression in the ground, all fast approaching us.  I knew that if the flatbed hit the creek bottom just right, I would end up being catapulted into the air along with a ton of hay following right behind me.  As we hurdled toward the depression I could see my life fasting approaching its untimely end.  The only thought going through my mind was, “I am only 16 years old and I want so to live a long life!"

We suddenly hit the creek bottom and instead of the wagon digging into the dry dirt, it miraculously skidded over the hard ground instead.  I thought, “I am still alive!” as I checked all my body parts to see if any were missing. No sooner did that thought flash by in my mind when all of a sudden I became acutely aware that the bales of hay were separating under me.  I frantically looked down and I could see 8 feet below to the flatbed’s floor.  At that point in time the bales separated further and I found myself dropping helplessly to the floor, all the while the hay bales above me were crashing together as quickly as they had come apart.  I then found myself shrouded in darkness.  The stifling heat from bailing now seemed nothing in comparison to the confined space of the hay holding me in place.  I could hardly breath as the tractor slowly came to a halt.  When I thought I might indeed live, I heard my crazy friend speak, “Are you all right?”  I muffled out an angry response that was full of threats that I knew I could not carry out in my present state.  I then demanded that he get me out of this mess right away.  Expecting an apologetic response, but all I heard was, “I’ll just wait until we get to the barn, no use tearing the bails apart and have to put them back again.” At that point my anger was beyond control, but my screams went unanswered due to the fact that all I could hear was the old John Deere slowly putting up the pasture lane to the barn a quarter mile away.  

Needless to say after being unstuck from the stifling hot bales of hay, I shared my thoughts of what I knew him to be.  He just looked at me and smiled and said, “I think you will live!”  At that point I wasn’t responsible for my actions, I Jumped over to the nearby hay pile, spotted a clutch of very old hen eggs that had sat there in the baking sun for I don’t know how long, and I went for them.  I grabbed several eggs, very gently, and began to toss them at my perplexed friend.   At that point he began to realize the gravity of the situation and sprang like a wild cat behind the bales, but not before one of my rotten eggs found its mark.  A short time later I found that it was not as gratifying as I had originally thought, because I then

realized that I had to put up with his stink for several more hours of work. My sense of smell was begging me for relief during this very difficult time.  My anger was soon melting, along with my resolve for getting even. I was certain at that point that vengeance was not sweet at all, it was indeed very painful for the both of us. My struggling friend and I seemed to realize that the only way out of this conundrum was either for him to take a bath or for the both of us to dive into the lake. 

 The lake it was!   

Where Do We Stand With God

In reading this morning the passage of Matthew Chapter 21, I saw where the Pharisees confronted Jesus by asking him by what authority did he have in knocking over the money changer’s tables in the temple. Jesus responded by asking them a question as well, “By what authority did John the Baptist do his works; were they from man or God?” The Pharisees talked between themselves and said to one another, “If we say John did his works by God’s authority, then he will ask us why we didn’t listen to him? If we say that his works were from man, then the people might stone us.” They responded to Jesus by saying that they didn’t know. Jesus in turn said that because they could not answer his question, then he would not answer theirs.

Originally the temple was a place of worshiping God, but over time it became a building to go through the ‘motions’ of worship, and because of this, the people's hearts were not there. They had forgotten about God and his provisions of kindness. They felt that God would be happy with their actions of worship only. The thing we have to ask ourselves is this, “Are we doing the same thing? Do we worship in church by just going through the motions? Are we truly seeking after God with our whole heart, or are we giving only of our presence?” In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees obviously thought that their place as worship leaders was more as political leaders than being examples for others to follow in leading individuals to God. And because of this, they protected their positions in the temple and sought after their own ends. Jesus was a living conviction against them, reminding them of their false ways and their distance from God. We as well, must in turn ask God for wisdom in our convictions and our place in “his” eyes. If we do not seek after God, the world will in fact seek after us with all its unholy ways. God asks us to be his ambassadors in the world, but we cannot do that if we are not seeking after him first. Just like in our own lives, the world will have its way in our church as well, if it is not putting God first. God made us as individuals to worship him and to be in fellowship with others that have the same convictions. We must now ask ourselves, “Are we being a reflection of God, or the world.” This is but one measure of our faith that will tell us of where we stand.

Servanthood

I recently read an article sent to me by a relative.  It was about a young high school girl applying for a job.  She was apologetic about her lack of experience in getting into the many careers that are on the market today.  Contrary to her belief, the respondent was very impressed by this young lady’s work experience.  She came from a farm and had done everything from driving a tractor at age 12 to taking care of the animals before and after school.  In short, she knew how to work and how to do it in a timely manner and that impressed the business man. 

If one were to follow successful individuals, that is, those who have successfully accomplished many things in their lives, it would be evident that hard work was the basis for their success.  Nothing worth holding onto can be achieved by having things given to an individual; it is gained by plain hard work and ingenuity.  In some instances, inheriting large businesses and estates are lost not only because of a lack of experience, but also because these individuals didn't have the drive to sustain the gift that was given to them.    

In relating this to our walk as Christians it can be said that our salvation is an undeserved gift, and that is so true.  But, what is done after that is accomplished by a balance of duty, faithfulness, and service toward God in one’s walk with him.  The analogy of a docked boat in the harbor is so apt; it cannot be used for fishing if it is not out on the open water doing what it was made to do, and likewise, we must be willing and able to move when God’s spirit compels us to do what he has made us to accomplish.  Two people in Israel amazed Jesus with their faith, the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant, (Luke 7:1-10), and the Greek woman who asked Jesus to deliver her daughter of demons (Matt. 15:22). Neither were Jews and that made their life that much harder living in a foreign land, but they did not give up, they actively pursued their goal of seeking our Lord for his healing hands in the lives of their family members.  Love propelled them forward with an earnest drive to seek God out at all costs.  God does have a purpose for each of us in serving him.  By taking time to pray, studying his word, and to listening to his Spirit, we can know what (His) purpose is for our lives.