Gratitude

After sitting in Matthew 27:45-56, what is the proper personal response? What should the reading of such painful things and sitting with lament lead to? I contend it’s Gratitude. Gratitude more than thankfulness. Gratitude as an ongoing action, a presence of being, an appreciative awareness of God’s Lordship, of the grace extended to you through Jesus’ sacrifice, and the privilege of having the Holy Spirit dwell with us.

I’m about to ruffle some feathers, but I do love me some Yoga (insert Christian Stretching if it makes you feel more comfortable). Besides the health benefits I have enjoyed the spiritual practice of being present. It is a challenge to find gratitude, and to take it a step further, joy, in the pain of a stretched muscle. But isn’t that living out James 1? Consider it JOY when you face trials because testing produces perseverance. As your hamstring burns you discipline yourself to breathe, finding gratitude for the secondary focal point. You can marvel at the Creator who designed muscle fibers full of contracting monofilaments to cause muscle movement, tendons to attach that muscle to the bone to move your body, a neurologic system to control the action of the muscle for purposeful movement, and a reflex system to override that neurology for your safety. Then as you reassess your yoga position you realize in that 60 seconds of reflection that you have actually achieved a deeper stretch than you would have thought possible. Check out that form! And amazingly you don’t feel too bad. Stopping and reflecting is good, and being present with the Creator and His creation can magnify His name. That's gratitude. That's worship. It’s what we were designed to do.

Thankfulness is done in a moment. Gratitude is a more complete and ongoing action. So set an intention to cultivate gratitude. If we have learned anything in the last 6 weeks it’s that we are NOT FORSAKEN by God. The lyric in the song says “I could sing these songs as I often do. But every song must end and You never do.” And isn’t that something to be grateful for? We were actually made to bring glory to God. To praise Him. I invite you to listen to Brandon Lake’s song and spend some time in gratitude reflection.
- Kristi Johnson

I invite you to listen to Brandon Lake’s song and spend some time in gratitude reflection. Yes, it’s 13 minutes long. It’s a commitment. But you can do it! Hit play, open your hands, close your eyes, and let your soul sing gratitude. Hallelujah!

Or you can choose the shorter song version and watch the five-minute option from The Chosen Christmas Special.