You can already hear scattered fireworks popping off in many neighborhoods. July 4 is rapidly approaching. This July 4th we celebrate 250 years as a nation.
Some might think “celebrate” is a poor choice this year. But that would mean you can’t celebrate until everything is perfect in one’s eyes. Nothing is ever perfect, but there is always good.
Well, two different things can be true at the same time. There ARE many things wrong with our country and many things that should break our hearts. Yet it is true that there ARE many good things about our country, and many contributions the United States has made to the world over the last 250 years. There are hundreds of thousands of people who visit America from other countries who are awed and amazed at the resources and opportunities we have as Americans that they don’t have in their countries.
While no part of life – not any marriage, job, vacation – is technically perfect, you can always find reasons to be grateful. Throughout history, the people who have been the most personally fulfilled and satisfied were grateful people. The ones who made the most positive difference for others were thankful.
The writers of Scripture tell us repeatedly that gratitude is one of our power resources for life and that living in thankfulness is God’s will for us. Paul urged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ.” We see in various messages such as Romans 1:21 and 2 Timothy 3:1-2 that a lack of gratitude is a dangerous spiritual posture. The Bible warns that ingratitude hardens the heart, clouds our thinking, and leads people away from God, ultimately paving the way for deeper moral corruption and pride.
So, how can we practice gratitude when things are not perfect? We focus on giving thanks for the good while actively working on that which is not good. We pray regularly and specifically for the changes that need to be made. We make it our responsibility to be an uplifting difference-maker.
So this historic July 4, let us celebrate with grateful hearts all the good God has done for and through the United States over the last 250 years, and dedicate ourselves to praying for His wisdom as we work for the future.