To Whom Are You Thankful?

by Doy Moyer

When someone says, “I’m thankful,” to whom is this person thankful? Thankfulness is an expression of gratitude or appreciation, but to make sense, it must be directed to one who has given or made the circumstances possible in which that expression finds meaning. Just saying, “I’m thankful,” into the air is pointless. Gratitude is meaningful when we recognize that one has given grace and feel indebtedness for it.

Christians, of all people, should feel that sense of gratitude and, therefore, be thankful to God for what He has given. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:15-16).