Choosing Gratitude

Complaining!
            No better of a day to talk about complaining than today. I woke up this morning with a nasty pain in my shoulder, an injury from playing hockey that I've neglected to get checked out. I decided this morning that I would go into Moose Jaw, visit the walk-in clinic and get it looked at. I got in my car and began to drive through what was probably the worst winter conditions we've had so far in Saskatchewan. The temperature was only -15 (which is nothing compared to what is to come) but the wind was powerful and blew snow to where I couldn't see anything in front of me. To typify this morning drive, my car decided it wouldn't blow heat and so I had to use the steam from my coffee to defrost the windshield as I drove down the blizzardy highway. Furthermore, once I got to the clinic I sat down in what seemed would be at least an hour wait to see a doctor. After waiting 30 minutes I left frustrated by, what felt like an injustice of having to waste my time in the midst of my busy college life.

Watching some Moose Jaw Warriors hockey

        This morning perfectly illustrates what one of the many key issues God has been teaching me through my studies. The issue of entitlement that has been a pervasive yet subtle epidemic in our western culture and something I really noticed while in South Korea, a country born out of extreme poverty and who were able to experience the gratitude in God's blessings. After ruminating more on the paper I wrote for my Christian Worldviews class titled "Entitlement vs. Gratitude," I've noticed more and more with how the orientation towards entitlement is alive, not only myself but in the culture you and I live in. 

Entitlement: Having the right to something
           Simply put, it has been the elevated pursuit of freedom in the west that has caused consumerism and the idea that we deserve the freedoms that have been made available to us. The freedom of choice, to raise a family, build a career, attain wealth, to enjoy hobbies and activities without fear of war, natural disaster, famine or oppressive government is rare. Nowhere in the world can enjoy the blessings we have yet we tend to be the most dissatisfied and thankless countries in the world. Why is that?

 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1::21

          No more helpful is our marketing industry who, while appealing to our emotions, feelings and thought,  feeds on the desires of the human heart and finds certain patterns of behavior to attract them towards attaining their lifestyle goals. We live in a culture of satisfaction. While in most countries the definition for "need" is food, clothing and shelter, our "needs" fall under a more appropriate category of "wants" "preferences" and "desires."

Robbed of Gratitude

Thankful for my parents for this gift

           As I process my mornings "inconveniences" I learn of how robbed I am from the opportunity to be thankful. Thankful for the soft surface to sleep, a healthy body, the car that was generously given by my parents as a college gift, witnessing the beauty and power of God through the snow storm and an opportunity to pray and trust in Him to keep me safe in my journey. All of this was stifled by my attitude of entitlement that chose rather to complain about what I felt I deserved.
  

                     Choosing Gratitude

unlimited sushi!

     To be a grateful person implies not only that one is thankful, but more particularly that one is open and receptive. To live with a sense of gratitude means that one appreciate what one has. One can celebrate the moment, enjoy the event, rejoice in the kindness of the giver. As a result, one is not always focusing on what one does not have. It is not something that simply happens, we have to cultivate and choose not to complain but to be grateful.

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thess 5:18

     To live with gratitude is to live out of grace and the sustaining and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. “When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.” It is the profound and ongoing reminder that I deserve nothing apart from punishment but that everything is a gift of unmerited favor from our good and generous Father.

papers papers papers

May we see evidences of God's grace in every situation and cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

Me and my lovely girlfriend Joie : )

Thanks for your continued prayers as I journey through my education at Briercrest!


Please pray for:
1) Diligence in studies
2) Health (so I can keep playing hockey!)
3) Deeper intimacy with Jesus