students of jesus

Thankfulness is the doorway to God’s presence. Eugene Peterson says “Thank You” is God's password. G.K. Chesterton became a believer by recognizing impossibility of feeling thankfulness apart from having someone to thank.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Psalm 100:4) We enter the gates of God’s courtyard by giving thanks. The image is drawn from the Temple in Jerusalem: a massive structure whose courtyard was open to nearly everyone. The Psalmist instructs us, though, the only way to proceed to the inner court is through thanksgiving. Not the mere attitude of gratitude, but the active giving of thanks: outward, vocal, and communal.

The proper response to God’s goodness is giving thanks. If we can catch the smallest glimpse of his goodness, it will generate thanks. Conversely, if we are not in the habit of giving thanks, perhaps it’s because we have not seen his goodness. And since his love endures forever, our thanks should be unending, and always new.

Ask Yourself: How comfortable am I expressing thanks, actually speaking thankful words--out loud? To others? To God?

Live Into It: Add to your "To Do' list the simple act of sending an email, making a phone call, or visiting someone in person for the sole purpose of expressing your thanks. It will change their day, and even better: after several weeks of walking it out, it will change your life.