This week, join me in considering a passage from Colossians.
Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Paul mentions thanks three times: “be thankful”, “with gratitude” and “giving thanks.”
I guess being thankful isn’t just something we should do once a year over turkey dinner!
Spring provides me with many opportunities to look up, get my gaze off of myself and thank God for the beauty that exists no matter what else may be going on in our lives. In fact, the more often I incorporate thanksgiving into my life, the quieter the negative voices become because God uses it to refine my heart.
Verse 16 above tells us to admonish one another. I tend to have a negative association with the word admonish, thinking it is harsh and is akin to condemnation. But that’s not really what it means. While one definition is to reprimand someone firmly, that doesn’t mean it has to be done harshly or in judgment, but rather as a form of encouragement. Another definition of admonish is to urge someone earnestly. I’ll take that approach here and recommend three ways to incorporate some thankfulness into your life this season.
First, get outside! Pick a park or garden or a neighbor’s flower bed or a local garden center to just observe some creation. If you’re local to Willowdale Chapel, please make a visit to Longwood Gardens this spring to take in the colors and sights of all spring has to offer. It always helps me to sit on a bench by the flower walk or in the conservatory to give my brain a reset and think about putting on an attitude of gratitude amidst the order, symmetry and thoughtful design done there with flowers, plants and trees. (If you need help getting a ticket, let me know. Those of us with memberships can share with you!)
Secondly, as verse 16 mentions, consider a Psalm to help focus your heart toward giving thanks. Now, yes, Psalm 136 seems a bit lengthy but I’d encourage you to read it a few times this week, either by yourself or with others and let the repetition help reframe your outlook on your day, week, or a difficult situation you may be facing.
Psalm 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Ok, that brings me to my third word of admonition! Per Colossians, let’s use music to sing “to God with gratitude in our hearts.”
Here are two songs that help me to that end.
A really straightforward and honest song by Ben Rector, “Thank You.”
A great old hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” which contains one of my all-time favorite hymn lyrics, “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do if with his love he befriend thee.”
Thank You by Ben Rector
Those are three ideas from me, now it’s your turn! How can we admonish one another toward a more thankful spirit? Do you have a psalm or song that points you toward gratitude? Please share it in the comments!
Praise the Lord, the Almighty by T4G Live II
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Originally from Georgia, Mary Beth Gombita is a lover of sweet tea, a proud Georgia Bulldog and an avid music fan. She works in public relations, running her own communications consulting business from home. Mary Beth and her husband, Stephen, have two young sons. She is currently the editor of our Willowdale Women blog.