Thankfulness – My Part of the Deal

Is the amount of thankfulness I exhibit toward the Lord commensurate with the level and nature of vision that I have a) for the Great Commission, and b) for my destiny and future?

Is it possible I don’t feel “called” or feel uncomfortable with a calling into a particular mission or area of ministry because I deny (or choose to remain unthankful for) the influence of that particular outpouring or revelation of God’s nature in my life?

Have I unknowingly left major revelations of God’s character and gifts for my life un-claimed because they don’t tickle my fancy or give me goosebumps? Perhaps I’ve neglected them because I chose not to see them as avenues (streets of gold) that were built into my person, into my destiny that lead to breakthrough?

Perhaps knowing God and believing in impartation and revelation are not as dependent on God’s ability and desire to dispense them, but instead they are more commonly experienced when we operate out of a place of gratitude (faith), the only belief/action that produces value, and adds meaning to any thing or situation – natural or spiritual.

Why does the world need Jesus? Because I’ve needed a Savior, because I have a relationship with God in Jesus, and because I have a perceived need to be with Him forever – and so should everyone (and because Jesus said that the world needs Him)!

This is the result of a two-fold revelation: the belief that Scripture is true and that my history provides a means for these truths to have become meaningful to me (application).

It’s my belief/understanding that ultimately the prior is true, but the greater truth in realizing that the world needs Jesus is because without a divine intervention, I have no reason for gratefulness, and all I have is a mere explanation for an analytical equation that tells me how ‘x’ and ‘y’ relate to each other – cause and effect (and so many times I’ve viewed Scripture this way.)

The goal of the Christian life is not to learn and abide by disciplines for the sake of becoming holy, but rather as God has given me a free will, preferring me, I have the ability to place my own value on what He presents. When my value system begins to transform and become righted with His, there will be an evident transition in that worldview, even in my perception of morals, because I will only begin to have appreciation for things and situations where preference is given to another – just as preference was first given to me.

I do not believe that the Great Commission is a mandate that requires us to do something we don’t understand, but preferably to be seen as something that should be sought after – looking to gain insight on/into why it was important to Jesus, and to the Father, and why it can become important (has potential to be relevant) to me because it means something, not just because it was a 'command’.

I don’t believe that this provides opportunity to deny and walk away from my disciplines that I pursue in faith, for I shall not ever full understand or “know” God. I must continue to do the things God has asked me (commanded) me to do, but simultaneously, I add meaning to those things by seeking God, to understand why they are important, not just try to make them important in my life because they are evidently important to Him in Scripture.

I do believe that Jesus intended for us to understand not only the Love of God, but all things according to Goodness and the nature of God. So in this I shouldn’t carry out a calling merely because of a reasonable (or unreasonable or irrational) commandment in Scripture, but because I’m compelled by why God trusted me with such a responsibility.

It is my belief that it is our privilege to accept God’s gifts that reveal His GOOD nature, which are for our mutual benefit. My receiving of good gifts isn’t what pleases God, but rather, my faith and belief that those gifts have value of divine, infinite, and even eternal proportions, and offering thanks, gratitude, honor, and worship because of my perceived value of the gifts is that which give Him pleasure.

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Perhaps the Church struggles to achieve it’s goals, and maintain revival because it has lost it’s sense of salvation, it’s sense of being thankful, it’s gratefulness that God even cares.

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God, I vow to You that my morals, values and belief systems will reflect your Goodness, and I am subject to discipline, rebuke, and correction, for there is no greater honor than to serve You, the most true form of Goodness and Perfection – for You created me to see it, love it, be sustained by it, and be perpetuated by it.

Your Presence is enough, and may my face always reflect Your Goodness with a graciousness that benefits all of those who deserve to be benefitted. Commission me Lord, to have increasing opportunity to love You, to be grateful for the offering of all your favor so that I might always extend that to a world fit for saving.

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Jesus, You are a perfect friend, an exemplary lover, and the perfect example of a covenant partner. You’ve brought me into the family, and I’ll never have a closer relationship to anyone because You cherish me more than a brother, and You’ve already given your life for me. You’ll forever be my hero, my go-to, and my inspiration to believe God only does Good Things.

Holy Spirit, the value of God’s greatness, and the weight of glory You’ve put on my life is unbearable, and I’ll forever welcome You to increase it, for the sake that I can represent my Father well. I’ll never cease to welcome Your companionship, and accept your challenges to dwell in the spirit more often, more deeply.

Father, my Father – Your love is immense, and I recognize that You’ve called me, desiringly, to come Home, to be with You. I will all of my days tarry to seek Your ways, wait for Your voice that beckons me, and I’ll respond, EVERY time I hear You. I promise to value my inheritance, and I promise to give as generously as You have. Papa, I have nothing without You. Your name is worthy to be praised in all of Heaven and all of Earth, by men and angels for you are Good, and Your mercy endures.