When was the last time you said “thank you” to someone who did something for you? You may have done it quite recently, or perhaps you are struggling to remember when you last uttered these words.
The micro-climate of thankfulness
Have you noticed how often the person you say “thank you” to, will respond, or smile back? That’s because true thankfulness creates its own micro-climate. It produces an environment for love, joy and peace to sprout and grow.
Whether we are thanking another person, or thanking God, thankfulness opens the door to connection. And when we thank God, it also opens the door to faith.
Something remarkable happened in the life of the Samaritan who received healing from Jesus and returned with thanks.
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 (NIV)
I’m sure that all 10 people were very thankful, but only one put action to his gratitude. The others simply continued on their way. And note that the man who returned actually did far more than just thank Jesus – he fell at His feet in an act of submission and reverence.
Thankfulness overcomes obstacles
Think about the obstacles this man would have had to overcome. Firstly, he would have had to travel back down the road he had already come. Secondly, he may have had to work his way through a crowd of people who were around Jesus. Thirdly, he was a Samaritan, literally bowing before a Jew! This was unheard of, and at the very least he would have risked ridicule and from his fellow-Samaritans. Fourthly, all the way along, he was drawing attention to the miracle Jesus had performed, by loudly praising God, and by his actions when he got to Jesus.
Yet every obstacle was overcome by the power of thankfulness. He was not focused on the obstacles. He was not focused on himself. All he was focused on was the One who healed him. And that opened the door to faith – which in turn gained him even more. It gained him salvation (verse 19).
Thankfulness opens the door to faith
Could it be that we have missed additional blessings, because so often we take God’s goodness for granted, and then continue on our way?
Faith is released when we take our eyes off ourselves and focus on the One who provides everything we need. Focusing on Him and returning thanks opens the door to increased faith, just as it did for the Samaritan.
This week, why not make a decision to invest in being thankful. It will open the door to increased faith and further blessing.
And look for opportunities to create positive micro-climates of thankfulness around you, by saying “thank you” to people you encounter today. Then go one step further and pray that the Holy Spirit would grow something good in their hearts as a result.
