Coming Back with Gratitude

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19 ESV). In ancient times, lepers were social outcasts because of their highly contagious disease. In this passage, ten lepers came to Jesus begging for mercy and He graciously healed them. Can you imagine? These lepers had an awful disease. Their bodies were slowly deteriorating, literally rotting away. They were shunned from their friends and family and forced to live in a community of only those who were also withering away. Suddenly, Jesus comes along and grants them the gift of healing! It was one of the most life changing miracles Jesus performed. They had to be in shock and overjoyed at their new life. Now they could go back to their families, their homes, their communities and live normal lives! When we read this familiar story it is hard to believe that only one of them returned to thank the Lord! I am challenged to look in my own life and wonder if I don’t do the same thing all too often. Sometimes I get so focused on my blessing and forget about the One who gave it! I have also noticed that it is usually the “small” blessings that I neglect to be grateful for. I have often said to others that I am surprised daily when I wake up in the morning! My expectations are so set that whether I wake or not, it is a pleasant surprise for me to be given another day. It also causes me to examine what I will do with that day. I can choose to squander the time uselessly, or I can choose to be used during the day to reflect the character and presence of God. That sounds a bit pious, but it is true. Everything we do ought to reflect our Father in heaven. Sometimes those things are directly related to ministry; and, other times they are seemingly not related at all. For example, if I choose to spend some time alone in the woods, hunting, is that really related to ministry? Some would say it is a waste of time. I would argue that it is another way of spending time recharging my body and spirit. Everything we do can be easily devoted to the Lord if it brings him glory. Thanksgiving Day is a mere forty eight hours from now. What will you be grateful about on that day?