Nov
26
Proper Thanks
Filed Under Devotional
Leave it to humanity to figure out a way to make a two-person transaction a one-person transaction. Leave it to us to figure out a way to make an act of humility turn into an act of pride.
Even the most atheistic American will be smiling happily and talking about what he is thankful for today. He will talk about his family, his friends, his health, and even the love of his wife and children. But, who is he thanking? We talk about “giving thanks”. To whom is he giving it?
You see, we’ve created a scenario where a guy can claim to be humble by giving thanks, but since he doesn’t talk about the recipient, then all of the attention comes back to him. Giving thanks publicly is an act of pride. In fact, this isn’t all that different from what the Pharisees used to do.
So, being counter-cultural, we need to give thanks and clearly identify to whom we are giving it.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12:28
Giving thanks properly is an act of worship. It involves two parties and we fill the role of the (much) lesser party in the exchange. Declare it! Identify the Giver whom you are thanking!
Being thankful means being willing to direct the attention away from yourself. And, in the case of God, we need worship with reverence and awe.