No Big Deal?
By Alethia McBrayer
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Read: Luke 17:12-19
Imagine you are living back during the time of Jesus and you find out you have leprosy. You know you are going to die, and you have to live far apart from everyone you love. You’ve heard of Jesus and His healings, and now you see Him, the Son of man coming your way. You call out and ask Him to heal you. He tells you to go and show yourself to the priest, because your death sentence has now been lifted. As you are on your way to the priest, you find that you really have been healed, just like He said! How amazing is that? After following through with Jesus’ command, would you not want to turn back and thank Him? The one who has done this for you? He didn’t have to do this, but He did. Remember, you were once doomed to live your life in pain, and apart from the ones you loved, but now you are healed! You can return home to your family! How would you feel? What would you do first? Return to your family or go and thank the Man responsible for this wonderful gift?
Consider this, what if you gave someone a valuable gift but they neglected to thank you for it? Would you think they appreciated it? Would you be inclined to give them a gift again?
In Luke’s account of the ten lepers, they received an extremely rare and valuable gift of healing, but only one returned and thanked Him. In Luke 17:17, Jesus asks, “Where are the other nine?” He expected them to come back and say, “Thank you.” Giving of thanks is naturally expected and should also be our automatic response.
God gave us the gift of his son: who shed his life on the cross for us so we would have the hope of eternal life. That is the greatest gift to ever be given! We had a death sentence. We were doomed to hell forever, but God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). We need to thank Him every opportunity that we have!
“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4).
As we think upon the actions of the lepers and our own salvation, we may be inclined to think, “Well, yes. Of course anyone should know to give thanks for such huge blessings!” This may seem obvious because it is a large gift, but what about the smaller, things?
Has someone ever done something for you that is seemingly no big deal? Things like opening the door for you, handing you something you couldn’t reach, or passing something at the dinner table? We could also include the times someone offers to help or assist, but it simply isn’t needed.
A big problem in our current society is many think things are owed to them. This leads to an attitude of ungratefulness and childishness. Children love to receive help and attention, but they have to be taught to be thankful or grateful.
We don’t deserve anything. When people are kind we should take notice.
At this time of year, our country has set aside a time to count our blessings, but I want to encourage us to thank those who show kindness toward us no matter the time of year. As we take note of the small things, let us continue to especially thank the Lord for his love, mercy, and everything He has given us.
“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: For His lovingkindness is everlasting” (1 Chronicles 13:34).