“Can You Thank Me?”

“Can You Thank Me?”

March 21, 2018

I read a story about a missionary doctor in the 1960’s who, along with her co-workers, faced unimaginable cruelty from guerrilla soldiers who took over the hospital and occupied it for months. Feeling overwhelmed by the experience, she allowed herself to question why God had not intervened.

As she cried out to the Lord, she sensed Him asking her: “Can you thank me?” Obviously, God would not ask her to thank Him for evil. She realized the question she was hearing was: “Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?”

I thought of Job in the Old Testament. As far as we know, he was never told the reason for the calamity that came into his life. As brutal as his experience was, we read that he “tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell to the ground and worshipped . . . and blessed the name of the Lord.”

Thanksgiving and gratefulness are easy when the good things of life are coming our way. It is when God allows us to experience difficulty and heartache that our ability to be thankful faces the real test. I like to think of myself as grateful much of the time. But in all honesty, when I read a story like that of Job or the missionary doctor, I realize that I fall far short of understanding what true thanksgiving is all about.

Perhaps the key to this kind of gratefulness is to focus more and more on the brutal effect of my sin on Jesus. When He hung on that cross and the sin of all mankind was placed on Him, even the Father looked away. There could not be a more lonely and forsaken feeling than what Jesus felt in that moment.

During this Easter season, I am determined to grow a step closer to true gratefulness as a way of life. Thanksgiving in all things is probably the most powerful witness for the presence of Christ in our life.

Pastor Bill Ehmann

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT POSTS

“Knocked Down But Not Out”

By wvbaptist | October 18, 2017 | 0 Comments

October 18, 2017 At least two years ago, along a trail I enjoy walking, a tall cedar tree fell over. I assumed that within a short time the beautiful green branches would turn brown and die – but that did […]

“Jesus Loves Me”

By wvbaptist | October 12, 2017 | 0 Comments

October 11, 2017 When Anna Warner wrote “Jesus Loves Me” in 1860, I doubt she had any idea how familiar and impacting the words would become over the next 150 years. Almost everyone growing up in a church environment learned […]

“Is It Worthy of My Life?”

By wvbaptist | October 4, 2017 | 0 Comments

October 4, 2017 Mountain climbers give extensive time to training, followed by the energy and resources needed for the journey. The risk involved is overcome by their desire to reach the summit. Upon finally arriving, their statement is simple: “It […]

“Tribute to Marriage”

By wvbaptist | September 28, 2017 | 0 Comments

September 27, 2017 It is a rare opportunity to celebrate 72 years of marriage in our church family, and this week is one of those special times. Ray and Betty Whipps will be married 72 years on September 29. It […]

“When a Hurt Becomes a Gift”

By wvbaptist | September 21, 2017 | 1 Comment

September 20, 2017 When humans face a difficulty, the natural tendency is to get away from it by solving, conquering, removing or healing it. Typically, we do not welcome a hurtful situation or desire to keep it in our life. […]

Scroll to Top