In Gratitude

Recently I was listening to a podcast conversation from a secular source that was talking about practicing gratitude. They mentioned the physiological and psychological benefits of intentionally remembering things to be grateful for. One person said she strives for 100 “gratitudes” per day. That’s all well and good, but during the discussion I kept wondering who they were expressing their gratitude to if they held no belief in God. It’s fine to be thankful for indoor plumbing, a bed to sleep in, food on the table, and all the people who make those things possible. But when an atheist sees a beautiful flower in the woods, where should gratitude be directed? One might say, “I’m thankful for that flower,” but thanksgiving implies a source, not simply a happy thought.

As Christians we know that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17a), and we should be grateful for all good things. Yet at the same time we know that God’s blessings to us don’t all carry the same weight. The privileges of living in the Western world are nice, but they can’t really be compared to the eternal benefits of faith, salvation, sanctification, and adoption into God’s family. Just a few verses earlier James had written, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2-4). Termites or plumbing failures, though they may test our patience, aren’t really a trial of faith when compared to the trials endured by our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18). Even if we agree that “in all circumstances” doesn’t mean the same thing as “for all circumstances,” this may be one of the hardest commands in Scripture. (Or is it just me?) When it seems like everything in life is going wrong, it is incredibly hard to find reasons for gratitude-- except for the eternal perspective that one day all these trials will cease. That is the perspective that Peter adopts in 1 Peter 1:3-9: Because of Jesus Christ we have an eternal inheritance, and we know that the testing of our faith now will result in “praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” We can give thanks for that hope regardless of what’s going on in this life.

I’ve been reading the book of Job lately, and after his statement, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21b), there’s a pretty steady stream of lamentation. However, Job’s thoughts keep returning to his Redeemer and that day when he will finally see God (13:15, 19:25-26, etc.). He doesn’t try to remember little things to be grateful for, but he clings to the one thing that really matters: his eternal hope. It is God’s love that matters most and for that we give thanks. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chron. 16:34).

This has become a recurring theme in my blog posts because I have to keep reminding myself that today’s challenges will one day end. It may not be this month or this year or even in this lifetime that a change comes to the painful circumstances of life, but there is a guaranteed ending of trials and tears on that final Day that our Father has established. I am grateful for the certainty of that hope.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29).

© 2023 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Pearls of Great Price

Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday for many people. It’s hard to give thanks when you don’t feel thankful about what’s going on in life. As Ed Welch wrote in his article I Am Not Giving Thanks, “There are plenty of hardships in this world, and they are not good. What is good is that evil cannot stand in the way of God’s essential work of making his people more and more as they were intended to be, which is portrayed most clearly in the Son. This, indeed, is a glorious good, but it could feel as though it falls short of our lesser versions of good.”

We may feel like we’re just going through the motions. Commands such as “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! …Come into His presence with singing! …Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise!” (Psalm 100), may feel like salt on an open wound. A podcast I was listening to recently made the comment that when the church gathers, maybe I don’t have the heart to sing right now, but I can listen to others sing. Another week I may be the one singing when others can only listen. We tend to forget that many of the commands in Scripture are for the church as a whole, not merely an individual mandate.

Some of the things we are not thankful for now may one day be reasons for praise. The Apostle Peter wrote, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Even if we can’t give thanks for the hard things in this life, there will come a day when it all becomes worthwhile.

In the novel Silver Birches, by Adrian Plass, one character is a minister who has lost his wife. He tells the others in his group:

“Apparently pearls are formed by oysters as a reaction or defense against a foreign body or irritant… I think something very similar has happened in my own life—and yours. There’ve been troubles and weaknesses and negative influences that haven’t just threatened but come very close to moving in and ruining parts of my life… I’m sure we shouldn’t take any pride or satisfaction in these irritants that enter our lives, but, look, I do think we should greatly value the way in which God’s able to form a pearl of protection around each of them. He hasn’t got rid of most of them because he’s good enough to allow us to go on being the person we are. We wear God’s pearls as symbols of our vulnerability and perhaps as pictures of the way God can make something beautiful out of weakness.”

So, I ask myself and I ask you, what are some of the troubles and trials that God has turned into pearls? What weaknesses and places of pain is He still working to transform? Though I can’t list everything publicly, I will share a few:

• I’m thankful for the depression that causes me to search Scripture for words of comfort.
• I’m thankful for the seasons of loneliness in which my words come out in writing and prayer.
• I’m thankful that struggles I’ve dared to share have been used to comfort and encourage others in similar trials.

I know my pearls are not yet fully formed, but one day they will be laid at Jesus’ feet with gratitude and thanksgiving. 

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Col. 3:15).

© 2020 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images are copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Unlikely Candidates

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1 ESV).

Reading Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on James, one section stopped me in my tracks:

“[Jesus] saw the potential in the lives of sinners. In Simon, He saw a rock. In Matthew, the publican, He saw a faithful disciple who would one day write one of the four gospels. The disciples were amazed to see Jesus talking with the sinful woman at the well of Sychar, but Jesus saw in her an instrument for reaping a great harvest” (ch. 5).

I started wondering what He sees in some of the people we may tend to ignore or write off. That little boy who is so disruptive in Sunday school may one day be a pastor. That girl who doesn’t want to leave her mommy’s side may become a missionary in Africa. That young man who can’t seem to stay on the right side of the law may end up ministering to ex-cons.

Thinking about the people in my own church and denomination, there are a lot of people now in leadership positions who may once have been thought “irredeemable.” And if we’re being honest, all of us are unlikely candidates for belonging to the Body of Christ. We’re all sinners (not just in the past). We’re all broken and wounded by our own actions and the actions of others. Not one of us was saved because we’re such a great catch. God was never impressed by our credentials. But by grace He chose us and made us worthy and useful for His kingdom.

“God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world,” (news flash—that’s all of us!) “even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

We didn’t get here by our own abilities or ingenuity, and we can’t even guarantee we’ll be here another day. (How many of Israel’s kings fell because their pride got the best of them?) We are dependent on God for life, breath, strength, and the very ministry He has given each of us. “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Cor. 1:7). That reality should make us grateful and humble servants.

As I look back at my own life, I would never have planned the route that brought me to where I am today, and I’m sure many other people would say the same. I give thanks for all the twists and turns, hills and valleys, bumps and bruises that God has used to put me right here right now. And I trust He’ll do the same in the future to get me wherever He can best put me to use for His glory.

“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).

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© 2019 Dawn Rutan. Image © Dawn Rutan. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Giving Thanks?

This is one of those times when I have to remind myself that Thanksgiving is not merely a humanly contrived holiday but is a command of God. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV).

Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving said in part:

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy… I do therefore invite my fellow citizens… to observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife…”

It is curious how we’ve turned the day away from thanking God for His divine mercy, and instead use Thursday and Friday for overindulgence and overspending. Quite honestly, I experience little enjoyment in the “holiday” that this has become. I would rather spend the day as a spiritual retreat (and I may well do that next year).

In an effort to refocus on reasons for gratitude toward God, here are a few reminders from Scripture:

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name; O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night… How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!” (Psalm 92:1-2, 5).

“I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:14).

“O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You; I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure” (Isaiah 25:1).

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:3-4a).

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).

As we go through the next several weeks of Advent and Christmas, may we all be reminded of the blessings that are ours in Christ alone, and may we give thanks to Him every day.

“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name” (Hebrews 2:15).

© 2018 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated all images are copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Rejoice in Forgiveness

Some time back I was reading Nehemiah where Ezra is reading the Book of the Law to the people, and these verses caught my attention: “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep… And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (8:9-10 ESV). When the people heard the law, they were convicted of their sin and their natural response was mourning, but Nehemiah told them they had reason to rejoice. His words are reminiscent of David’s experience some 500 years earlier—“David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.’” (2 Samuel 12:13). After which David wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2).

From my own experience and things I’ve read from many different authors, I think we all have a tendency to hang onto guilt longer than we need to. We know that God’s forgiveness is available and is freely given to all who confess, and yet we can’t let go of the mourning and turn to celebration.

When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus told her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). He didn’t scold her or give her penance to do. He simply released her from guilt so she could have a fresh start. She could have been stoned to death for her sin, but instead she was set free. I have no doubt she celebrated that day.

Although a contrite attitude could indicate that we think our sin is too big to be forgiven, I wonder if the bigger problem is that we think we can contribute something to our forgiveness? Our view of sin is too small—we don’t realize that every sin is worthy of death. How can a person on death row do anything to earn forgiveness? We deserve death just as much as the woman caught in adultery, yet we are forgiven because of Jesus’ death on our behalf. That should be reason enough to rejoice! To remain mournful when God has delivered us from death is to say that His forgiveness isn’t good enough. Are we questioning His power, mercy, love, and authority?

I shared this quote on Facebook as it related to the sermon we heard this Sunday, but it’s worth revisiting:

“I cannot imagine the depth of love the Savior had for us in those moments of extreme suffering—unfathomable love causing Him to choose moment after agonizing moment to subject himself to what He could have ended. Thanks be to God that Jesus persevered till the task was completed! With His last breath He exclaimed, It is finished, and committed His spirit to the Father, dying in our place” (Marci Julin, When You Can’t Trust His Heart, 87).

So as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, may we all remember the greatest reason to give thanks— 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life… These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 3:16, 15:11).

© 2016 Dawn Rutan. 

Giving With Gratitude

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Matt shared the example of Rick Warren’s decision not to increase his standard of living as he started receiving significant income from his book sales. We were challenged to increase our standard of giving rather than our standard of living. This reminded me of a quote I read several years ago that has influenced the way I budget for each year. In Revolution in Generosity, Daryl Heald (President of Generous Giving) writes:

“Early in our journey of generosity, a friend challenged Cathy and me to give more. We had just finished a Crown Financial Ministries course and decided to increase our giving goal to 20 percent. Each year we would increase that amount by 1 percent. I felt pretty good about that and mentioned it to a friend, hoping he would be impressed with our commitment. After ‘boldly’ sharing, I asked him at what level he and his wife were giving. He told me that they were giving 40 percent of their income and suggested that Cathy and I could do the same. Talk about feeling humbled! At that point in our journey, I didn’t know people gave that much. His openness and lack of arrogance or condemnation appropriately challenged me. He was a motivator. His model eventually allowed us to do the same. Cathy and I talked and prayed about this decision. Our conclusion was to set our new goal at 40 percent and by God’s grace to increase it every year.” (392-393)

I wouldn’t say this is necessarily the goal of every Christian, because every family is different. Adding kids or losing jobs can quickly change the needs of a family. But I do think every Christian needs to give careful consideration to their plan for giving (and yes, it does need to be a plan). Many Christians ask “How much should I give?” The better question is how much should I keep? What do I really need to meet the basic needs of my family now and for the foreseeable future?

Jesus spoke of giving as something that was expected—when, not if:

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven... But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:1, 3-4 ESV).

When we discussed these verses in Sunday school recently, I thought about the ongoing debate in Congress about doing away with the charitable giving tax deduction. It is unfortunate that tax laws play such a big role in how people use their money. For Christians that should never even be a consideration. Christians living in nations where their faith is illegal have far more difficult choices to make about how to care for the needs of orphans, widows, and fellow believers.

We in America are blessed with so many resources that we quickly lose sight of the fact that none of it belongs to us to begin with. We are merely temporary stewards of God’s resources. We are quick to make excuses not to give. It’s easy to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit while we’re distracting ourselves with the latest gadgets and the football game of the day. I have to say, I have sometimes regretted not giving more to a particular need, but I have never regretted giving “too much.” In one instance in college, I gave some money to a collection but then immediately felt that I should have given more. So God arranged for the collection bucket to go past me again!

In the end, it comes down to a matter of the heart. A gift grudgingly given does not honor either God or the giver. “You shall give to [the poor] freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake” (Deuteronomy 15:10). “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, bot reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful give” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

May our giving this Christmas and all year round be inspired by the grace that God has lavished upon us, and not hindered by fear, selfishness, or pride.

© 2015 Dawn Rutan.