Hunger & Thirst
“So I’ll throw up my hands and praise You again and again ‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah And I know it’s not much but I’ve nothing else fit for a King, Except for a heart singing hallelujah, hallelujah.” – Brandon Lake, Gratitude
Hello Dear Friend,
The song Gratitude by Brandon Lake quickly became a favorite worship song of mine since the day I first heard it a little over a year ago. As I listened to the lyrics for the first time I immediately felt like the song was an everyday version of one of my favorite Christmas songs The Little Drummer Boy. Both symbolize the humility of mankind in the presence of the King.
That poor little drummer boy had nothing to offer any king. No riches, no fame, he came from nothing, had nothing and yet he found something he could give as an offering – he could play his drum and worship the newborn King.
Like Brandon Lake mentions in his song, we recognize the greatness of God and we can feel His presence surrounding us but nothing seems to be grand enough to express the gratitude we want to show our Heavenly Father. No offering seems to fit the extraordinary God we serve.
Spiritual Recharge
“Oh, come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me Lift up your song, ‘cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord.” – Brandon Lake, Gratitude
Like Jesus told Peter and John; your soul is willing but your flesh is weak. There are times when my soul is so hungry for a connection with its Creator and it thirsts to feel the presence of its Savior. Yet, I find myself physically tired and mentally exhausted that just the thought of submitting into the act of worship feels like work and that action in itself requires some exercised disciple. But at the same time, my soul yearns for nothing more than to feel the Holy Spirit there with me and to bask in that presence.
Often times all I seem to have the energy for is a sign-a-long to a worship song and an offering of a lifted hand and raised voice to God. Sometimes that’s enough. Sometimes that’s exactly what my soul craves – an offering of gratitude to the one who cradles my life in His hands.
Sometimes words fall short. Sometimes actions aren’t enough. Far too often I’m sitting on my talents instead of executing my gifts in a way of praise. But there are times when what I really need to do is call out to my God with nothing more than a hallelujah. Sure, it doesn’t seem like much, pretty simple really, but sometimes it’s one word, one offering of surrender that has me realize just how much I’ve deprived my spirit from what it craves the most. The bonding relationship my soul has to my Savior. It’s during those praise moments I realize I’ve been starving myself from what it needs the most; spiritual satisfaction. Forever bound to its Creator my soul hungrily searches to interact with God and it thirsts to reconnect to Jesus.
Posture of Worship
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and not be poorer but richer for having made it.” – A.W. Tozer
I’m ashamed to say that far too often I go through way to long of a stretch before pausing to offer up a thank you to God. My gratitude towards Him is lackluster and usually comes as an afterthought that’s long overdue.
Gratitude is a word that’s often expressed but rarely fully understood. How do you say thank you to someone who’s offered you redemption, altered your life for all of eternity and through His sacrifice has given you a fresh start?
Gratitude is presented in the Bible as the posture of worship and is an active response to our unchanging God. His character is steadfast and therefore I have no excuse not to show gratitude and give Him thanks in every season of my life.
“Who is like You? – Faithful to all generations. Marvelous One, Your glory it fills the heavens. All You are is what I need, Lord – You alone I treasure. All the earth both young and old will praise Your name forever.” – Unhindered, More Than Words
Gratitude – my word for 2023. I actively want to get into the habit of turning my heart and mind towards the past and present works of my God and give Him the thanks He deserves while also offering up the praise He’s worthy to receive no matter what circumstances I face.
A Heart of Gratitude
“No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Thank You, God for all the ways You’ve given me that I can express my gratitude for all that You’ve done and continue to do in my life. Too often I don’t realize all the ways I can acknowledge Your goodness and faithfulness when it comes to my life and the lives of my family and friends. I thank You that I can stand or kneel, raise my hands and my lungs in worship to express how awesome You are to me.
Thank You for my talents – my art and my writing and for the creativity You’ve placed in me. I’m ashamed to say that I spend too much of my time sitting on my gifts instead of using them as a way that worships You and shows gratitude to You, my Creator. I pray for a new zeal to pursue my crafts in a way that brings honor and glorious praise to Your name.
I pray that I’ll have a never ending hunger to be in pursuit of You. I pray that I will be quick to offer up praises to You for what You’ve done for me and through me. I pray my heart would seek to give You gratitude each and every day. Amen.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more.” – Melody Beattle
With love,
Comments