Giving Joyful Thanks

"...So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his people in the kingdom of light....." Colossians 1:10-12 TNIV

All this "full-knowledge" of God, so that.... and now we find that it enables and empowers us in "giving joyful thanks." I am amazed at how often the giving of thanks, being thankful and being filled with thanksgiving occurs in the New Testament. Over and over again, it is stated that either we are to be thankful people, or certain actions cause others to be thankful, or we have instructions to be primarily thankful in every situation, and on and on. 


Thankfulness or a heart filled with gratitude to our God is primary in being able to apprehend the goodness He continually pours into and over our lives. He is good and He loves to pour Himself over and in. As we fellowship deeper and deeper in Him, and as we embrace more and more of Him then we become filled with gratitude for Him. 


We often limit our gratitude to the things He does. But in this huge step of fellowship in relationship gratitude for His person, presence and love becomes an overflowing factor in the life. We are, of course, very thankful for all He does, but relationship always goes further than that. 


As an illustration: I am grateful for all the provision my husband has made for me and for our family through the years. He worked very hard at his position for over 39 years. He was a public school teacher. He taught classical choirs, musicals, etc.... He loved the kids, and was loved by them. Now, retired, he works with me in Psalm 19 as well as in his local church - in music and for Psalm 19 in the production of our TV show, etc.... I love and appreciate all he has done through-out the years, but I love him, his presence, his love, his "always there for me person" more than I love what he does for me. 


So it is in our fellowship in the Lord. We learn to love and thank Him, mainly for Him. So as we grow in gratitude, let's also remember - that too is a gift in and of relationship. The fullness of the relationship in His power and provision enables and empowers us to flow and enjoy such gratitude. Awesome!