Thank You. Two simple words — both written and spoken — hover as an endangered species in our ‘hurry up and get it done’ culture. But we see in the Book of Luke that Thank You is important to God.
What does it say?
Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy, Luke 17:11-19:
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us! “When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
What do we learn?
The math is not complicated. Ten were healed; one returned.
To RETURN and say Thank You:
Takes Time – he came back
Involves gratitude – praising God
Incorporates humility – threw himself at Jesus’ feet
What can we do to Act Like a Leper This Thanksgiving?
Perhaps, we must first Climb over the objections:
I don’t have time. (True)
No one reads what I write. (False)
They already know I am grateful. (Are you sure?)
I waited too long, now I am embarrassed to RETURN. (Go ahead anyway.)
I don’t know what to say. (Less is more; less is enough.)
Then, having climbed over the objections, we engage with the reality that grateful people are happy people. This season of Thanksgiving, you and I own the opportunity, like the leper, to RETURN to a person, a place, a moment, or a memory to express gratitude, written or spoken. Here are a myriad of ideas. Does one—just one—nudge you to RETURN?
Buy postcards and jot a note to say Thank You:
To an acquaintance who hosted an event you attended this past year
To the cousin who pulled off the annual reunion
To your child’s teacher who shows up day after day in the classroom
To the postal employee who brings you your mail
To your husband’s executive assistant
To the neighbor who pulls in your garbage can when you are out of town
To your pastor’s wife who gets little encouragement
To the group member who faithfully arranges the room for the meeting
To the friend who always has time to listen
Phone and leave a voice message to say Thank You:
To the staff at your doctor’s office
To your spouse who filled the car with gas
To the childcare workers in your church nursery
To your teenager who did the dishes
To the widow who makes an effort to engage in her community
To the business who provided space for your committee to meet
Kneel beside your bed and say Thank You:
Here is a suggestion. Before going to bed each night between now and Thanksgiving, Act Like a Leper and kneel beside your bed; say Thank You to Jesus for healing you from the spiritual disease of sinful leprosy. Then, praise God as you fall into a sweet asleep.
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights … ”(James 1:17).
1. Why do you think this Story is important to God?
2. How does thanksgiving involve humility?
3. Which one idea does the Holy Spirit prompt you to pursue this Thanksgiving season?
