August 31 | Colossians 3:12-17

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DAILY READING

Colossians 3:12-17

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REFLECTION

Gratitude --> Peace

By Dave Mann

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body 

you were called to peace. 

And be thankful.

“And be thankful.”  That little phrase almost appears as a throw-away at the close of the paragraph full of rich wording.  But we ignore those three words to our own loss.  It seems to me that expressing gratitude is part and parcel of living in peace.  I might go so far as to say, “If we are not thankful, we will not have peace.”  If we are grumbling about how poorly people have treated us, we will not be at peace.  If we can ask the Lord to heal our irritation, he will work gratitude into our hearts and bring us into his peace. 

Many years ago, a wise person gave me a working definition of the word “gratitude.”  Gratitude is the recognition that all that is good in my life exists because of others and God himself.  Some people might protest the all-inclusiveness of this definition.  ALL that is good in my life – not just some, or most, or key parts of my life -- ALL.  Such people might state that they themselves have worked very hard to gain what they currently own.  “Nobody gave me what I have.  I earned it!”  But I would counter their protests by asking, “Did not God create in you an aggressive work ethic?”  And, “Were there not key influencers in your early years – parents, teachers, youth leaders, coaches – who shaped and formed you, making you who you are today?”  We are blessed by our loving God in so many ways.

There are so many blessings God wants to give us.  The door that he allows us to open to receive his peace is an expression of gratitude.  The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

God’s will is for our good, and that includes giving thanks – acknowledging that the Lord has been at work in our lives.  Even when life is difficult, we can have an attitude of gratitude.

This short epistle Paul penned for the Colossians mentions thankfulness no fewer than six times.

1:3 -- We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.

1:12 -- and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

2:7 -- rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

3:15 -- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

3:17 -- And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

4:2 -- Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

PRAYER

Yes, Lord, I acknowledge that you and others you have brought near me are responsible for all the good that is in my life.  I pray that the attitude of gratitude would be present in my heart every day, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.