Life is about perspective. Each of us lives in a perspective that is defined by life around us. The purposes and graces of God are evident in the lives of those who show gratitude. The wellness of soul is the blessing of a grateful heart. But how many of us live a life that reflects gratitude on a daily basis?
We all go through times in our life where we experience relational and spiritual distress. It is during these times that we feel set apart from others. At church this weekend, we read Luke 17:11-19 - Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers. In Luke 17, there were many who were set apart from others. Who were considered unclean because of their leprosy. Lepers were not to live in community with others but were set apart. When they did come into the village for any reason, they were to call out, "Unclean, unclean." Can you imagine the loneliness and emptiness they must have felt?
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 are 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." ~Luke 17:11-19
It was the simple prayer of these men, who stood at a distance, that was answered by Jesus when he saw them. How often do we call out in prayer? There are times when we become complacent in our lives. Perhaps times when we feel that we can do it on our own and our hearts become hardened and arrogant to the need for God. But these men, they knew their need. They called out a simple prayer and their prayer was heard. A miracle performed. A simple prayer answered. What can we learn from this? We can remember that in all times, we need to call out to Him. That no matter what our circumstances, we need God, in all his power and glory.
We can learn more from this story. The miraculous healing happened even before the men even reached the priest. And there was ONE. There was ONE of the TEN who returned. He returned to Jesus and threw himself at His feet. This ONE. This Samaritan thanked Jesus in a loud voice. That same voice that called out that simple prayer. We learn that in all things - ALL THINGS - we need to thank God. In all circumstance - ALL CIRCUMSTANCES - we need to thank God.
Jesus then questions, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" This question wasn't asked because He didn't know the answer. The question was asked to make a point. In His asking, He is revealing the heart of the nine who didn't return to show their gratitude. Are there times in our lives where we pray for so long for something and then once our prayer is answered, we stop thanking Him for that which He blessed us with so generously? Nine of the ten missed out on the true blessing. The blessing of a grateful heart where glory is given back to the one who gives us all our blessings. Jesus longs to be in relationship with us. A relationship that will give us far more than we can ever ask or imagine. The lesson is to acknowledge the source of the gift and to live a life that is full of thankfulness and gratitude.
The story of the leper is our story. We all have things in our life that we can't fix on our own. That we can't fix on our own. What we need is Jesus. We need to go to Him as He calls us to come. He extends grace and peace to us. He desires a relationship with us. What are we waiting for?
The blessings of God will either make us grateful or arrogant. We will either turn to Him and give Him the glory or we will think it is all thanks to our own will. Choose Him. Choose the path that leads to Christ. The One from where all our blessings come from. And in that, give Him the glory.
On the way home from church on Saturday night, Chris Tomlin's song, "Come Home Running," was playing. Kirra loves Chris Tomlin and so we turned it up and sang along.
A few other songs...I hope they inspire you.
Home
By Chris Tomlin
10000 Reasons
By Matt Redman
(Jaret's favourite song)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
By Chris Rice
This weekend we spent time with family and friends. Kirra had a couple of play dates and Jaret also had a play date with a new friend from school. Sunday we took a visit to the Farmer's Market, watched the Seahawks win, and then we enjoyed hosting turkey dinner with Rach and her kids to wrap up the day. Monday we spent time in the mountains, walking around Banff and hanging out at Bow Falls.
The defining reality of our lives should be thankfulness and gratitude. Not just at Thanksgiving but all year round.
"The wellness of soul is the blessing of a grateful heart." ~Pastor Ian Trigg
A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles. Start and end each day with gratitude and that gratitude will strengthen your heart. We have so much to be grateful for ~ Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!
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