Gratitude: Intentional and Important
Thanksgiving when all the incentives tell us to nurture grievance
When the first Pilgrims gathered with their native American allies in 1621, a year after landing at Plymouth, enduring a rough voyage from England and a brutal New England winter, they didn’t have a ton to be thankful for. Nearly half of their party had perished. Yet they did.
They didn’t call it Thanksgiving like we do, but they did have turkey—more on that in a World Magazine column coming next week.
I want to make the case that gratitude is both important and must be intentional. First, it’s important. In Romans 1, Paul offers a commentary on the fall and the entrance of sin into the world, which corrupted the world and poisoned human hearts. Listen to this line from verse 21: “they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him.” They did not give thanks to him.
When the serpent deceived Adam and Eve, he began by undermining their trust in God with a list of grievances. He’s holding out on you. He’s keeping things from you. He is diminishing you. You deserve more.
Ingratitude softens the heart for sin. Ingratitude is what causes a business executive to shave money from business accounts and divert it for personal use. Ingratitude is what causes a man to look beyond his wife for sexual fulfillment and intimacy. Ingratitude is what causes otherwise sane people to blame everyone else for their problems. Ingratitude fuels our increasingly popular politics of resentment. I deserve this. I’m not getting what I need. I need to take what I can get. My problems are everyone else’s fault. I need to take matters into my own hands.
When confronted, Adam blamed his wife. Eve blamed the serpent. They all blamed God. You see? The one who created them with care and precision, who stamped on them his image, who put them in an idyllic setting with everything they would ever need—yes, he’s the one at fault here. Sin begins with the subtle whisper, God is holding out on me.
The practice of gratitude, however, pushes back. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).” In all circumstances is a pretty big ask of God, right? Even in tragedy? Even after a bad financial year? Even when there is a difficult health diagnosis?
Listen to Habbakuk:
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the Lord;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! (Habbakuk 3:17-18).
Thankfulness is a sign of faith. It recognizes that everything God allows is for our good and his glory—even when we can’t see it. I haven’t quite mastered this yet. I frequently turn to complaining when things go poorly or I don’t get an outcome I want. I can succumb to comparison. I wonder why others have blessings I don’t have.
This is why gratitude has to be an intentional act. It’s not natural in a fallen world. “Give thanks” - the Bible commands. I recently spoke to a group and said that “Gratitude is a muscle that must be exercised.” I believe this. Over time, with enough practice, it can become a habit.
Thanksgiving is an annual reminder to check on this muscle. Do enjoy the food and family, and football (Go Bears)—feasts and games are good gifts from God. But do pause to reflect on the blessings in your life. Here are some things I’m thankful for this year: My salvation in Christ, my beautiful wife of 23 years, my four wonderful children, my spiritual heritage, a free and prosperous America, meaningful work, an institution in SWBTS that employs me and supports me, more friends than I deserve, a home, good books, and good health. What about you?
A few housekeeping notes:
I just got back from the Evangelical Theological Society, where I caught up with some good friends and heard some really good presentations by leading scholars. Thankful for the men and women who use their minds and hearts for the work of the Kingdom.
My latest podcast is with Christopher Talbot, who teaches at Welch College in Nashville. He’s a Francis Schaeffer scholar. We talk Schaeffer, Christian cultural engagement, and other such stuff. You’ll enjoy it:
If you are shopping for Christmas, consider In Defense of Christian Patriotism as a nice gift for that person in advance of America’s 250th birthday.
If you are thinking/planning your Advent reading, you might consider two resources:
Jesus and the Characters of Christmas - Boardbook for children
We are off to travel and spend time with family next week. I pray you have a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving.