“Because I’m worth it!” The catchy phrase from the well-known commercial stuck with this generation. Not necessarily in a good way, though. More like in an annoying, self-entitled, spoiled, bratty way.
How could self-worth ever be considered bad? Isn’t it wonderful that someone realizes his or her inherent worth? That they acknowledge their divine fabric, their God-infused character, and their heavenly citizenship?
Yes, of course. But that’s not where the problem arises.
While Christians for centuries have held on to a poverty mentality, idolizing the personal sacrifice to the point of adopting a beggar mentality, the pendulum has from time to time swung to the other extreme, where believers have claimed superiority over others, demanding privileges at the expense of others, or defended parasitical behavior.
But as children of God we are royalty, right? Should we not be treated as such? Should we not expect to be waited on hand and foot? Isn’t the world our playground?
We are indeed royalty. As such we need to remember that the enemy will try to take everything that’s good, sweet and noble, and pervert it for his purpose. Over time he might convince us that our righteous position in Christ places us above others. The same one who tempted the Son of God to command stones to become bread whispers to you: “Aren’t you a child of the living King? It’s only right that others should serve you.” Or “Why bother to work for what you need? It should all be handed to you. Didn’t God tell you that He would provide for you?” Maybe he’ll even throw in a “Your family just doesn’t understand you. Your so-called ‘friends’ in church are not backing you the way they should. You are better off on your own. Don’t even look back. From now on it’s just you and God, that’s the only fellowship that truly matters.”
It sounds so true, doesn’t it? Almost biblical. Almost.
The enemy never mentions anything about the blessings of the poor in spirit and the persecuted, and how the kingdom of heaven is already theirs. He avoids mentioning that the desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He conveniently skips the part of the fellowship of believers forming the body of Christ. He actually prefers fingers, knees and ears to wander off while ignorantly claiming that they will be better off on their own.
Years ago a wonderful Norwegian evangelist, Aril Edvardsen, who ministered worldwide stated that the only time we are in the middle of the road is when we’re moving from one ditch to the other. He was more right than we care to admit.
So how do we maintain our hearts pure? How do we mourn even as we receive our comfort? How do we remain hungry while being well-fed and satisfied? How do we reconcile our royalty with our servanthood?
Christ is our example. He is the servant King. That is why we fell in love with him in the first place, isn’t it?
As we return to our first love and let our hearts be filled with thankfulness and affection, we find our true identity and thus, our position of strength.
The grateful heart never feels superior. The loving servant never looks down on others. The one who works for love and not for money will receive her wages from the Lord, she will feel blessed to get the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give thanks to the giver of all that’s good. Give thanks to the One who is good.
The Psalmist speaks of blessing the One who showers you with benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, and who heals all your diseases.
This may or may not be your natural habitat. Maybe you are facing destruction. Maybe you feel downtrodden, plague-ridden and abandoned.
May I suggest that we focus our thanks on who He is instead of our circumstances?
Give thanks to the One who was, is and will forever be good, true, merciful and full of wonders. Give thanks to the One who does not change. He is all that He promised that He would be.
Thankfulness brings us to our true core – to our identity as beloved children of God. It is the sacred slayer of entitlement. Thankfulness is knowing that our many sins are forgiven and that we are free to love.
Being thankful is not only about what God has done in your life. It’s about recognizing who He is. He is our love. Worthy to be praised. Worthy of our gratitude, our lives.
Make this Thanksgiving about our Servant King. Fall in love with Him all over again.
Then give thanks.