Abounding in Thanksgiving

The book of Colossians, in the Bible’s New Testament, was written by Paul from prison.  It was written to a group of believers, or a church, in the city of Colossae that Paul had never met.  It is not known if Paul ever even traveled to Colossae.  Perhaps he had at some time prior to this church forming, but it is certain that he, personally, knows very few of the believers gathered there now and to whom he is writing.  (I think that is so interesting and instructive but not necessarily the point of this post….)  Nevertheless, he writes to these young Christians.  Writes to not only correct and warn them of doctrinal error but also to encourage them.  To spur them on to continued growth in the Lord.  I also find that truth, by itself, very encouraging.

In this letter, Paul introduces himself and quickly offers a prayer for this church.  He then gives some concise but powerful doctrinal instructions concerning the deity of Christ and false philosophies.  He reminds this group how they became Christians, in the first place, and then offers this encouragment:  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him (Colossians 2:6).

He tells them to walk or move forward.  Keep going.  But don’t just “hang in there” but he says to walk in him.  Walk like Christians.  Be a light…or shine for Jesus!  Yesterday in Junior Church, we talked about being a sweet smelling savor, or smell, that is “wellpleasing to God.”  We had a good time trying to distinquish some familiar smells.  We talked about good smells.  And some not so good ones.  Cheese seemed to be high on the list of “gross” smells yesterday.  I also had a candle buring when everyone arrived.  I surprised myself that all of the children not only noticed it but how much they enjoyed it.  (It was banana bread scented…delightful!)

A sweet smell.  It is delightful!  Just like a light that shines in darkness.  Or a life that is lived for Jesus.  All of them are so pleasing – delightful – to the Lord.  There are so many ways to do this – to walk in Christ and to be pleasing to Him.  However, Paul mentions one specific way in the verse following the one I noted above.  Colossians 2:7 says: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding there in with thanksgiving.  Christians are to be abounding in thanksgiving.  If I am going to be a light, or shine for Him, in this dark world, I must be abounding with thanksgiving.  Abounding.  As in overflowing.  Full of thanksgiving.  Wow.  Am I really full (full to overflowing) with thanksgiving??

And, believe it or not the actual point of this encouragement, as I was checking the dictionary, I noted another definition of abounding.  That is “to be prevalent.”  Or something is predominant.  Gratitude should be a predominant – common and natural – response for me.  I have to admit that is not the case.  Especially lately.  Although Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, “the holidays,” in general, tend to be stressful for me.  I feel the stress already beginning.  Add in some very heavy family situations and, well, life has been challenging.  Sadly, when my heart is troubled and life is, um, prickly, gratitude is not my natural response.  But I believe it should be.  And can be.

It takes intentionality.  That purposefully turning our hearts and thoughts toward gratitude can look different for each of us.  I have never been one with a gratitude journal.  Perhaps I should be.  But there are a mulitude of ways to refocus our thoughts throughout the day.  That refocusing can become more and more of a habit and, yes, gratitude can become more and more of a natural (predominant or abounding) response for me.  Sure, it takes intention and work.  But I want to be that light.  That sweet aroma that I explained in class yesterday. That may or may not have gone over the childrens’ heads.  But sometimes I think those early morning lessons are just for me:)  And that is ok!!

Sorry this post is a bit late getting out today but I hope you have a wonderful Monday!  Here’s to a good week ahead.  Let me know how you are intentional with gratitude.  It would be an encouragement to me.