35. The Grateful Man

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What does it mean for us to apply this story to our lives? One man out of ten came back to thank Jesus for the healing. The other nine were long gone, living their lives again, I am sure they said what happened and their story was amazing, but they didn’t think to thank Jesus. 

Idea 1: Gratitude I don’t know about you, but when someone has helped me in such a huge and incredible way it can actually be hard to know how to thank them. If the gift, support and help is so life changing knowing how to thank someone in a way which will show the impact and scale of your heart for them will be challenging. 

But, I think a response of heartfelt gratitude is essential, perhaps in the words we use to thank them, the creative way we might do that too, or in our actions that result from their help. 

Have you been impacted by someone’s help or support that has changed your life? How did you thank them? What did their help do to your life, aptitudes and choices going forward? Do they know that? 

Idea 2: Generosity I have been on the receiving end at times of some incredible financial support, it has left me speechless and overwhelmed by how on earth I can say thank you. I decided that first, the person will know how grateful I am with words, so I told them. Then I sent a gift to tell them again, in a different way, and then I decided to let their help shape how I help others. 

Generosity is one of the ways in which we can ‘pass it on’ as it were, or continue the motion, movement and work. What does this look like for you? Has your generosity been impacted by someone else first being generous to you? Maybe some small steps will help with this, ask a mate who you trust to keep you accountably in your generosity, it helps. 

Idea 3: Grace Perhaps the most startling support, help and rescue we have had is that of the life of Jesus, taking our place in the consequence of sin. How does this impact your life and spur action that reflects the gift he has given you? 

I think when we know and feel the weight of sin lifted, we find forgiveness, grace and mercy, these elements form part of our new vocabulary, they become part of what we do. 

Has this been true for you? Does it need to be? Are there people that need your forgiveness, grace and mercy?

Action

Spend some time today thinking over that last question, it is a big one and mustn’t be rushed without considering some action going forward.