As Paul began his first letter to Christians at Thessalonica, he stated. . .
“(2) We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, (3) remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 ESV)
In his constant prayerful mindfulness of these brothers and sisters in Christ, Paul expressed his thanks to God. Are there such people we too are continually thanking God for; other’s whose works of faith, labors of love, and steadfastness of hope resting squarely in Christ are being displayed in the day-to-day living of life? Are we greatly encouraged and uplifted by their example as they grow in Christ and for the ways in which their life has touched ours? And are we ourselves living to exemplify such character as God brings us into connection with others? It is not thanksgiving for perfect lives (since we are all imperfect beings in need of the grace of God), but for the good we see in others and the impact their life has on ours even as ongoing growth takes place.
One of the things I am greatly thankful for is when God has given me the opportunity to see others respond to the teaching of Scripture with a readiness to surrender to His Will. Recently following a one-on-one study on baptism with an individual at a State Corrections Center, this individual offered a prayer at the close of our study in which he thanked God for having brought me to him. His words meant a lot to me as he had made clear the seriousness with which he was seeking to move on in a proper direction in life centered in Jesus. I thank God for his openness to the Word and for his encouragement to my work. As he prays, and as I continue to uphold him in prayer, we are drawn into the sphere of thanking God for each other!
Let us neither take for granted that for which we should give thanks for others or fail to give due consideration to the potential impact of our life service connecting with others to the glory of God. May thanksgiving to God for one another remain a part of our daily prayers!
Have a great day THANKING GOD FOR THOSE WITH WHOM HE CONNECTS US!
Carl
