Gratitude is a characteristics of life in the kingdom of God.
Gratitude is an attitude, a choice we make regardless of our circumstances. In my observation, most Americans choose not to be grateful. When we make demands, think people owe us something, and work hard for what we receive, it is hard to be thankful. When we are arrogant, think we know best, and see ourselves better than others, it is hard to be thankful. When we are critical, judgmental, and negative about situations around us, it is hard to be thankful.
Choosing gratitude happens when we value people, understand life as a stewardship given to us, and practice generosity. Jesus was traveling through a small town when he encountered ten men who were dressed in rags. They smelled terrible from months of not bathing, their flesh was decaying, and they yelled “Unclean!” as they walked past others. They had leprosy, a flesh-eating disease. When they saw Jesus, the leprous men yelled, “Jesus have pity on us!” Jesus responded, “Go show yourselves to the priest!” The command made no sense to them, but what did they have to lose? A person who has leprosy goes to the priest only after the leprosy is gone. So off they went. Suddenly all that leprosy had taken from them was restored. Fingers, ears, noses. They no longer had the disease. Can you imagine their response? “Let’s go shopping and get some new clothes. Let’s go home and hug our families. We are clean!” (Luke 17:11–19.) Now let me ask you: What would have been your response if this had happened to you? Of the ten men, only one, the one from a marginalized community, took the time to go back to Jesus and thank him. The nine others never did. Why would someone whose life was restored not return and thank the One who had given him new life?
This is a picture of our current society. I find that about 10 percent of people are genuinely thankful. As a college president, I often gave gifts to groups of people: Christmas gifts, beginning-of-academic-year gifts, bonuses, pay raises, rewards, accomplishment parties, victory parties, and tickets to events. I noticed that only about one in ten of them went out of their way to thank me for the gift by writing a personal note, sending a text, emailing, or making a phone call.
Gratitude is the way of the kingdom. If choosing to have an attitude of gratitude is difficult for you, begin by keeping a daily gratitude journal. Focus on what you have rather than what you do not have. Each day list one thing you are thankful for that day. By focusing on what God has given you, an attitude of gratitude will follow. You see, gratitude is not about what is going on in your life but what is going on in your mind.
