Where Do We Go From Here? Part 2

Posted by Betsy

Yesterday, I posted Part 1 of an article by Doug Phillips, of Vision Forum Ministries, in which he outlines three ways to begin 2011 with vision and purpose. First, he encourages us to outline and record the many providences of God in the past year.

In Part 2, he challenges us to express thanks to those who have invested in our lives.  If we don’t take time to say thank you, we may cultivate a spirit of ingratitude in our hearts.

This one can be a real challenge in today’s rushed, over-scheduled culture.  We may feel thankful in our hearts…but do we take the time to express it?  We live in a day and age where communication opportunities proliferate…most of us can be reached via snail mail, email, instant messaging, skype, twitter, cell phones, texting…the list goes on and on…and yet, we’re often too busy to stop what we’re doing and spend five minutes composing an expression of thanks.

Interestingly, this was a problem in Jesus’ day as well. He once healed ten lepers, as he traveled the border between Samaria and Galilee, on His way to Jerusalem.  Ten lepers were healed…but only one came back from rejoicing to say thanks. Based on His reaction (recorded in Luke 17:17-18) Jesus found this lack of grateful expression disappointing.

As you read Part 2 below, ask yourselves, “Who can I thank today, for taking time to invest into my life?”

II. Say ‘Thank You’ to
Those Who Have Invested in Your Life

[I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. (Eph. 1:16)

Whatever happened to the man who first opened to you the words of life from the Scripture? Where is the comrade, coach, or instructor who believed in you and helped you to accomplish a great goal? What about the Bible teacher whose careful handling of the Word opened up new vistas of understanding? Where is the friend who stood with you through thick and thin? Most importantly, what have you communicated to the mother who carried you in her womb, loved and nurtured you, or the father who labored to provide for and shepherd you?

When was the last time you responded to their investment in your life with gratitude, blessings, and even money? Jesus reminds us of those ungrateful recipients of blessing who simply went their way without demonstrating gratitude (Luke 17).

Before the year ends, make a list of two types of people: The first list are the names of people whose life, ministry, or personal investment in you have deeply touched you and changed your life. (In my case, the list includes parents, pastors, and even some teachers from the early years of my Christian walk that I did not meet until much later in my life, but whose books and tapes were crucial to my personal discipleship as a young Christian.) The second list should include those people who played the most significant role in your life in 2010.

Write a brief, meaningful letter to each of them. Be specific in your gratitude. Explain what they did for you and why it was important to you. Show them how they were God’s instrument of blessing in your own life. Pray over each letter, asking God to grant you rich insights on the character qualities of each individual and on the way those qualities changed your own life. Where appropriate, include a check or special token of appreciation that reflects your desire to show them, tangibly, that you recognize that you are in their debt. You cannot imagine the joy this will give to someone from your past who may think you have forgotten them. Give generously and without concern for getting a tax deduction. I strongly recommend sending money to your parents. Keep in mind that you will never be able to return their personal and financial investment in your life, except through your testimony of faithfulness, covenant keeping, and honor to the Lord.

Also, your children need to know the people who have blessed their parents. They need to see that Mom and Dad are grateful and generous. Share your letters with them. In our household, we ask our children to write to some of the people who have blessed Mommy and Daddy, because our children are the indirect recipients of these blessings on their parents.

This will take a day or two to complete. You may have twenty letters to write, but you will never regret saying “thank you.”

One last thought: One reason why Christians are often limited in vision, energy, and blessings is that, contrary to the Lord’s command, we are ungrateful, unforgiving, and bitter. Far too many who profess the name of Christ spend more time obsessing on those who have wronged them than rejoicing in those who have blessed them. Letters and tangible expressions of gratitude are not only pleasing to Christ, but an antidote to heart-sickness.

…to be continued…