Romans 6:12-14
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies, so that you obey their desires. 13 No longer present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
It is interesting to think about the different ways that we can show appreciation. I grew up in a generation and time that thank you cards were a must. My parents made sure that after we left someone’s home or shared a meal with others that we said thank you to the host for the meal, the invitation, or the hospitality that they have shown us. A thank you goes a long way. Another way to show gratitude is by the way that we engage with someone or something. If the city builds or renovates a new public park, one of the way that citizens can show appreciation is by treating those things in the park with respect and being good stewards by throwing away our trash and using equipment properly. Wiping down equipment at the gym is a way that we can show our fellow gym folks that we respect the space we share. There are countless ways to show our appreciation to one another but it begins with intention.
The same is true in our faith journey. We have been given the gift of grace and one of the ways that we can show our gratitude is the way that we live. By making choices rooted in God’s message, we show endless gratitude to God. By loving one another, we reflect God’s love for us. By praying for one another, we demonstrate the same thought and care that God shows each one of us. Our behavior with hope can reflect the transformative life that God has given us through Christ.
Prayer
God of Hope, in gratitude for your amazing gift, help us to live a life of a faithful servant. Guide us in our choices and remember the amazing gift of your forgiving love. In Jesus Name, Amen.