When the Kingdom of God comes to this Earth, we will find that its foundation is a sense of gratitude. Not a specific feeling of thankfulness for any particular grace that has been shown to us; not for any single person or source that has inspired our feeling of thankfulness. It is the feeling itself, unattached to any specific context, which is the one absolute essential on which the Kingdom will be built.
The reason for saying this is simply that without a sense of our own indebtedness we just inflate our importance and exaggerate our significance in the order of things. This is the basis of modern life, to assume that it is up to us to save the planet. Which of course is a true requirement for avoiding Armageddon. But ...
If we feel we are the only ones who have a right to alter the conditions of our lives, even if it's primarily for the betterment of our fellow creatures, we risk a hubris of global proportions. Yes, yes, we do have the freedom to alter our lives, of course we do, but it is not one of the sacred rights of humankind to think that we are solely responsible for our own destinies. Sacredness comes from somewhere else. And gratitude is a sacred grace.
Gratitude is what makes us aware that there are others besides 'me' in this world. Recognition of the other is what makes possible the occurrence of gratitude. In specific circumstances, when someone does us a good turn, gets us out of a hole, puts our benefit ahead of their own, we are grateful. Momentarily at least. But I'm not talking about short bursts of acknowledgement. I am talking today about having an attitude in our lives which is ingrained in our very being, an attitude which must always be ours, if the Kingdom is ever to happen.
This attitude of being grateful for the world and all its riches need not be held as a religious obligation. But it is certainly a spiritual necessity. We don't have to believe in God, in order to be grateful. But ultimately, whether we recognize it or not, God is the one to whom gratitude is due. When we feel gratitude, we are acknowledging our place in the universe. We are admitting that we are not totally in control. And we are admitting the possibility that God is the one we owe it all to.
In practical terms, what does this mean? It means that world leaders have to work together to recognize the need for co-operation in managing resources, especially those that are under pressure. Demands for water, conservation of rare elements and rare species: these are needs which transcend national or company interests. Without an indwelling sense of gratitude, those with power will not be prepared to commit to working for common goals. This is where we are at in the world today. The situation is urgent. What is surprisingly simple, is the solution staring us in the face. Thank God.
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise always on my lips
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast, the humble shall hear and be glad.
Glorify the Lord with me, together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me, from all my terrors he set me free.
Gavin Feb 2024
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