What Brings Us Gratitude?

What are you like when you go on vacation? Do you pack lightly, bringing just the necessities? Not me. I unashamedly bring everything I can think of that will make our condo feel like home. I pretty much move in! I put boxes of food in the kitchen, my fuzzy robe and books in the den, my fan in the bedroom—I am not staying there; I am DWELLING there during our vacation.

I thought about that as I considered what it means to let the Word of Christ dwell in me richly, as Paul instructs in Colossians 3:16. I think it’s kind of like my vacation style. God’s Word isn’t like a suitcase to be put in the corner, for me to be living out of it for one little area of my life. Letting His Word dwell in me richly is letting His Word MOVE IN to every room of my heart, so that people can see the evidence that He lives there.

If you were to walk into my vacation condo, you would see my fuzzy robe, my books, my comfortable belongings and know that someone was at home there. I want Christ and His Word to make their home in my heart in the same way, so that people see the evidence of Him in my life. 

This verse tells us exactly what the evidence will be in our lives when we allow His Word to dwell in us richly- “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” 

As His Word is living in us, it bubbles over to others. We are learning from one another, keeping each other accountable, encouraging one another, and praising God with one another. We are reflecting on God’s character and His truth. The end results? Gratitude. Thanksgiving. His Word ultimately brings “thankfulness in your hearts to God.” 

This Thanksgiving as I lift my heart in gratitude to the Giver of all good gifts, I thank God for you, my friend. I am thankful for all those little things you do that give evidence that Christ has made His home in your heart. 

I thank God for the times you have been kind to the harried server at the restaurant. When you have let the other driver over into your lane. The times you have sent a card or a text to a hurting friend. The faithful prayer for the one burdened with grief. When God’s Word dwells in us richly, it makes us love each other a little more like Jesus does. 

Thank you for allowing Jesus to unpack in your heart. Thank you for allowing Him to make His dwelling place in you more beautiful each day as He continues to conform you into the image of Christ. It brings gratitude to my heart. I pray that today gratitude is dwelling in you richly as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

Colossians 3:16 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16