A CHANGED LIFE TRULY THANKFUL

It didn’t take long to answer the questions on the test since I had studied every day and night preparing for the college entrance test. It sounds familiar this phrase, especially when we hear it from our kids or friends who are contemplating new careers. In a rapidly changing world it seems prevalent that people do want to change, but sometimes that change comes with a price. The word change means just that substituting something for something else. But when it comes to change in our lives we need to pause and ask: Where do I need to change? I see it as the vehicle that comes to a stop sign. The sign is there for a reason, that is, to look in all directions and see what’s ahead in our path. God wants us to grow and be successful, but at the same time he wants us to recognize Him as being in control of all things. Part of the change in our lives as Christians is to be grateful for all things even if things have not gone “our way” or the way we expected.

I remember reading in Psalm 23: 2, 3 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…” When we allow God our shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. When we choose to sin, however, we go our own way and cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. It is easy to blame God for the unwanted pregnancy, the failed exam, the divorce of parents, or the mounting of bills at no end. But if we stop and pause about things we know it is not God’s fault, but our own mistakes – taking the wrong path and having a mindset that from the beginning of time have led mankind into sin, one that says “my way is better.”

Our Father wants us to give him acknowledgement for the things he does for us. In
1 Chronicles 16:7-36 king David is worshipping God with song. We find here an example of four elements of true thanksgiving we should remember: (1) what God has done, (2) tell others about it, (3) showing God’s glory to others, and (4) offering gifts of self, time, and resources. Remember, if you are truly thankful your life will show it.

God Bless.