So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:6-7
Dear Lord Jesus, I want to be a man who gives you the quality and quantity of thanks of which you are so absolutely worthy. Not like a slow drip, a babbling brook, or a meandering stream, but like a geyser—a gratitude geyser. I want to spew, spill over, leak thankfulness everywhere you place me—to the praise of your glory and grace!
I run to you today, like the healed Samaritan leper—who, with a heart of joy and irrepressible gratitude, returned to give you thanks (Luke 17:11-17). I return today, Jesus, and I want to return every day, to express my love and gratitude, for everything you have done for me.
From the first nanosecond I was given faith to receive you as Savior and Lord, I was fully and firmly rooted in your righteousness and love. Now, completely forgiven, I have no other righteousness than yours. Just as I cannot add one iota to your righteousness, I can never, ever be separated from your love—the only love that is better than life.
You have already set me free from the penalty of sin; you are continually setting me free from the power of sin; and one day you will set me free from the very presence of sin.
Jesus, as this Scripture implores…
I want to live in you—abiding in the life-giving Vine that you are; reflecting on your glory with an unveiled face; marinating in the riches of your unfailing grace.
I want to be built up in you—maturing by the same grace that saved me, being liberated for the race that you’ve set before me.
I want to be strengthened in you—forgiving others as you have forgiven me; forbearing with others as you forbear with me; accepting others as you have accepted me.
Jesus, I’d love to be already done with all carping and droning, with all whining and complaining, with all boo-hooing and Eeyore-ing, and with every other expression of ingratitude. But until that Day, may the artesian spring of your grace compel me to live as a humble, grateful and generous man. So very Amen I pray, in your merciful and mighty name.
