‘speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,’ (v19) Ephesians 5:15–21
Life challenges us with a multitude of responsibilities, amongst which we barely find time to draw breath. It’s healthy to build in moments of thanksgiving throughout our day. Such moments will ground us and remind us of the good things that life offers us – children, fine food and friendships, for example.
Thanksgiving is the bass note for God’s constant communication with us because the bass plays a powerful role in how we hear harmonies. When we hear several notes played at the same time, we hear them all relative to the lowest sounding pitch — the bass note. It stands out by virtue of being an outer voice. It’s what helps us distinguish between music and noise. Being below all the others, the bass note gives the impression of supporting them all. Thanksgiving does the same.
A noisy world, constantly demanding our attention, produces a noisy mind. Our thoughts are filled with never-ending demands that quickly build stress throughout our whole being. A moment to pause and give thanks is our opportunity to draw near to God and find rest for ourselves (Matt. 11:28).
A world in persistent pursuit of wellbeing needs help regulating its life’s rhythm with moments of thanksgiving – thanks for God’s presence, friends and family, and a knowledge that God accepts and loves it (Psa. 46:10).
RELATED SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Psa. 100; Isa. 41:1–10; Phil. 4:4–9; Col. 3:15–17.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Consider your average day and identify moments of praise you can add in. Make it a habit to pause and give thanks, regardless of how you feel, at each one of these moments.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, thank You that You are good and Your love endures forever. I will praise You throughout my day. Amen’ (1 Chron. 16:34).
Photo by Oscar Ivan Esquivel Arteaga on Unsplash
