By Martin Morrison
G. K. Chesterton is one of my literary heroes. He fought the secular world of the 19th and 20th centuries with words and truth. He was a journalist by profession and wrote thousands of articles, dozens of books and was a regular speaker and lecturer. He has often been called the prince of paradox. Here are some rather amusing comments he made off the cuff during question time at a lecture:
If you were stranded on a desert island with only one book, what book would you choose? Thomas’ Guide to Practical Shipbuilding.
What are your thoughts on democracy?
Well, if we really believed in democracy, we would not be debating what we should do with the poor; the poor would be debating about what to do about us.
One of my favourite quotes is: The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels a profound sense of gratitude and has no-one to thank.
I love that last quote. In its true form, gratitude is profoundly Christian. It assumes that there is a Creator who took the initiative to act in some or other way. That act resulted in some form of beauty or truth. As creatures we observe that beauty and respond in gratitude. As Chesterton explains, gratitude is pointless if there is no-one to thank. Perhaps Chesterton was reminded by Paul, that one of the signs of the ungodly is not to honour God or give thanks to him.
However, as Christians, one of the distinguishing marks of a Christian is constant thankfulness. Paul instructs us to, “….give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Ephesians 5:20. Gratitude will mainly focus on the past and the present. You focus on what you have and where it comes from. You focus on the extraordinary privilege of God’s blessings big and small in the present.
Ingratitude doesn’t focus on present blessings big or small. Ingratitude doesn’t focus on the beautiful colours of the rainbow. Ingratitude is in perpetual pursuit of the rainbow’s end. No wonder there is no gratitude. Ingratitude is based on phrases such as, “if only” or “perhaps tomorrow” or “It’s my right” or “I’ll get him”.
Not only are there a thousand blessings right now for which we can thank God. But Christians can never exhaust their thankfulness to God for salvation.
- Thankful that while we were sinners and enemies Christ died for us.
- Thankful that in Christ our sins have been taken from us as far as the east is from the
west. - Thankful that there is now no condemnation for those found in Christ Jesus.
- Thankful that we are sons and daughters of God.
- Thankful that His Spirit lives within us.
- Thankful that He has promised to never leave or forsake us.
- Thankful that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.
- Thankful that we await a new heaven and a new earth where there is no mourning,
crying, pain or death. - Thankful that the best is yet to come.
- Thankful that God will write the final chapter.
Let me close with a last quote from the prince of paradox. “When it comes to life. The critical thing is whether you take things for granted or you take them with gratitude”. It’s your call.