17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5)
As I read the first verse above, verse 17, my mind automatically went to Psalm 107 and the study we did on that Psalm of Thanksgiving this past Sunday. in verse 17 there we find:
Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
From the other direction my mind went to Romans 1, and how foolish, darkened hearts fail to be thankful and turn their backs on God. Paul says: "Don't be like that." Don't be foolish and turn to sin. Don't be foolish and deal with life's disasters by drunkenness. Instead, let the Holy Spirit take control of your hearts, minds and mouths: Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, not just to yourself or one another, but together to God. Give thanks always and for everything - not just to people who give you things or do things for you, but to God. Submit, put others needs before your wants, not just to look like a nice guy or lady, but as a way of honoring Christ, who gave Himself for you.
More and more we are seeing that this thanksgiving thing is not some sort of magical button we can push to get God to give us what we want. Rather it is part of a package, but an integral part of the Christian life that pulls together our relationship with God and each other. It is a part of worship and a way of living. If we leave it out, we will be missing out on a key ingredient of life lived to the full.
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