We must practice BEing who we want to become, right?!? Salvation happens in the twinkling of an eye, but we grow in Christ all our believing lives. What an adventure!

As Jesus Christ lives within us through Holy Spirit, there is change that occurs in our yielded lives. Good change, that reflects the loving image of God and results in our actions and speech praising God, and teaching others. God calls this growth “sanctification.”

We transition from being “babies in the Spirit”, full of hunger and exuberance, looking to learn all we can, to being more and more joy-filled, peace-ruled, still-learning teachers. Our love for others is expressed in ever-changing moments of doing, and/or gracefully receiving.

A big way to keep ourselves in a humbled, learning mode is to remember to be grateful. Thankfulness acknowledges the help of others, and brings us joy and humility at the same time.

“Thanks for the coffee.” “Thanks for picking that up.”
“Thanks for the great advice!”
“Thank you, Lord, for your incredible sacrifice on my behalf. Help me pay it forward.”

Gracitude = walking in a watchful attitude of grace, and openly-expressed thankfulness.

Gracefully acknowledging the help another person gives us first blesses them when we express gratitude, but then blesses us twice. 1) We experience the euphoria of being noticed and helped by another human being, and 2) we experience humility as we see someone lower themselves to do something for us.

Pretty soon we are gracefully expressing thankfulness toward others with little effort no matter who they are, where we are, or what was done – little or great. We are BEing, in word and deed, the Message of the Gospel of Christ.

Col 3:15-17 …let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. NLT

When we practice “gracitude” we will see loving submission grow and change lives. Jesus Christ will be preached, with and without words, to everyone, everywhere, and it will begin right now.

What an awesome way to express the Love of Christ to others, and to learn to constantly recognize it ourselves. Just like a sports professional, we will get better and better at reflecting God’s Image as we purposely practice doing so, while simultaneously making the team – the one body of Christ – stronger and better as well. Win, win!

So – I have a brand-new exercise / challenge for us all – “Gracitude.” Say ‘thank you” to everyone, everywhere, for everything that is done for you, whether small or great. Keep those eyes open, and respond.

Let the Love of Christ flow!

Blessings!
Leaona Huston
May 27, 2021