A week ago, I was at a wedding where the two well chosen readings were Psalm 121 (I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? Text: https://tinyurl.com/45f8z9y9) and Colossians 3: 12-17 (As God’s chosen ones, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another… Above all clothe yourselves with love… And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… Text: https://tinyurl.com/4j28f3jn). They seemed very suitable for two people who have led settled individual lives and where married life may well require significant adjustment.
Above all, I was struck by the very short sentence in Paul’s exhortations which seems to pivot the whole reading. It’s definitely a ‘less is more’ verse.
And be thankful.
Paul continues ‘…with all gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs… and whatever you do… do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks…’
As a cook, I know that a dish needs to be properly seasoned to be enjoyed fully. For me, a dish that’s not been seasoned well lacks life and depth. A dish also needs to be seasoned early in the cooking process for the seasoning to run all the way through it.
Perhaps thankfulness is one of the seasonings of life. Without thankfulness, it’s too easy for bitterness of spirit, greed and unhappiness to take hold. But where thankfulness runs, they can be driven out. It needs to be genuine but looking for things for which to be thankful and actively thanking God and other people for the gifts of this life will be a blessing to us and to those around.
As the psalmist wrote (Ps 103: 1-2)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits.
Jeff Claxton
