Verse of the Day for November 25

In Greek, verses 19 to 21 hang from one command in verse 18, be filled with the Spirit. What follows is a list of what that looks like: speaking, singing, giving thanks, submitting.

Thanks sits in the middle of that list. On one side, songs. On the other, Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. That is an interesting neighbour for gratitude.

Thankful people find it easier to open their hands. When you know that what you hold was given, you hold it more loosely. You can let someone else go first, have their way, take the credit. The grip relaxes because you are not clinging to things you think you earned.

Paul makes the scope wide. Giving thanks always for all things. Not because every event is good, but because every one of them can be brought to God and trusted to him, the way an open hand trusts the one who fills it.

Notice where your fists are closed today. The parking space, the last word in the family chat, the seat at the front. Thank God for what you have, and then try opening one hand, just one, before evening.

Gratitude and humility live next door to each other.

Open one hand today and see what it actually costs you.